WORD

The sun came out on Highbury Fields on Saturday, just in time for the arrival of scores of young people (and one gorilla), all carrying bright orange Word Festival bags and books donated by the wonderful people from Oberon Books. The Read-In flashmob bemused, confused, intrigued and inspired the picnickers and passersby who saw it. Hundreds of people took information about Word 2012 away with them.
Click here to see Roman’s video of the event.
Thank you to all the Word2012 Read In ‘Flashmobbers’ for a fantastic contribution to the festival!
The flash mob was a joint production between Islington Community Theatre, All Change’s B Project for young women and Word2012. More photos coming soon…

This thought provoking exhibition runs throughout the festival at our Word2012 partners – Free Word Centre. Click here for more information about the show.
(Launch night photo by Frances Baker)

Fortune Telling – a new book of poetry, stories and photography by Islington Turkish, Kurdish and Cypriot Women’s Welfare Group working with All Change artists Aoife Mannix and Leticia Vaverdes launches today at Islington Town Hall. The book is available to borrow from all Islington libraries or to order here

Listen to an interview by Edis, MyVoice Young Reporter with Tony Brown, Stock and Reader Development Manager, Islington Libraries here

Word2012 is pleased to welcome the MyVoice young reporters , who are working with The Reading Agency on board. They undertook their first training day on Saturday 12 May, and will be reporting throughout the Word2012 Festival.

Saturday 12 May 2pm If you’re passing Highbury Fields at around 2pm, you may just notice something a little bit different…
A curious flashmob event to celebrate the start of the Word2012 Festival.
Co produced by All Change’s B Project for young women aged 13-19 and Islington Community Theatre. Supported by Oberon Books

Every day throughout the Festival Islington Community Theatre will be publishing tiny plays – 100 words each, by young playwrights created especially for the festival. Visit: 100 Word Plays to read them – The first play is on line now!

Do you enjoy reading? Want to share your favourite book or author – perhaps hear from others about theirs? Islington Reads is an opportunity for us all to share our experiences of reading. Post a comment below about your favourite book or author – or tell us what else you’re reading too – a newspaper, a comic, a magazine – and where. Tell us about what you’re reading, what you like to read or where you like to read.

Comment or tweet here throughout the festival…

Share your reading with others here
or tweet: @WordIslington #ISreading2012

See what Islington’s Reading…

There are book token prizes for the best posts and tweets!

Welcome to the website for Islington’s Word2012 Festival – a three-week celebration of reading, writing and freedom of expression with activities and events going on across the borough packed with work created specifically for the Festival. You can enjoy a range of events, exhibitions and performances involving some of the most impressive and exciting artists, writers and organisations in the borough.

Word 2012 runs from 11-31 May 2012

We’re developing the website ready for the festival launch on 11 May 2012 – so check back soon to see what’s happening, for festival updates and to post your comments about what you’re reading.

Follow us on Twitter @wordislington