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 | Lancashire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
1:00 AM 12th October 2023
arts
Blackburn & Darwen's 5th Children’s Literature Festival Hailed A Huge Success!
Sign Language Danielle TUdor.
Christina said:
“What an amazing week we had spreading the positivity of reading with sessions in all Blackburn with Darwen Libraries celebrating Libraries Week. We engaged with 4000 children and families in the borough and gifted thousands of books.
"I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all the staff in the libraries, and to all teachers, parents and carers for their enthusiasm and support for the weeks events. A special thank you to The Mayor Councillor Akhtar and his Consort Mrs Akhtar, who attended many of the events in support. Our focus was spreading Kindness, with a strong emphasis on looking after our environment for Green Libraries Week.”
“What an amazing week we had spreading the positivity of reading with sessions in all Blackburn with Darwen Libraries celebrating Libraries Week. We engaged with 4000 children and families in the borough and gifted thousands of books.
"I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all the staff in the libraries, and to all teachers, parents and carers for their enthusiasm and support for the weeks events. A special thank you to The Mayor Councillor Akhtar and his Consort Mrs Akhtar, who attended many of the events in support. Our focus was spreading Kindness, with a strong emphasis on looking after our environment for Green Libraries Week.”
Roman Road Library
Salma Zaman who’s speciality is engaging with SEND sessions, visited schools with her stories. Author & Illustrator of the award-winning Loki series Louie Stowell, staged events in Darwen Library Theatre.
Illustrator and Author Ursula Hurst delivered sessions with her prize-winning story Drawing Hope, and Christina Gabbitas delivered sessions about plastic pollution and the environment with her story and poem Save Us From Plastic in Darwen Library.
Ursula Hurst & Christina Gabbitas
This followed Wednesday evening with Christina talking at an event about her journey from living on Blackburn Fire station to where she is now. The event was interpreted by BSL Gemma Mazza to the audience.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday sessions were held in Blackburn Central Library with African Rapping Peace Poet, Donvan Christopher, Author Ben Davis, Illustrator Ian Morris, illustrator Zehra Hicks, Andy Seed, Hafiza Issa, and Oli Sykes.
Sign Language Danielle TUdor.
Libraries Manager Adele Karwatt said:
“We are absolutely thrilled and encouraged by the whole week of events; this has been our most successful yet. The Arts Council funding enabled us to reach out further into the borough with transport costs etc.. We are very grateful for the continued support and partnership with our patron of Blackburn with Darwen Libraries Christina Gabbitas, to which none of these festivals would happen without her drive, initiative, and passion.“
“We are absolutely thrilled and encouraged by the whole week of events; this has been our most successful yet. The Arts Council funding enabled us to reach out further into the borough with transport costs etc.. We are very grateful for the continued support and partnership with our patron of Blackburn with Darwen Libraries Christina Gabbitas, to which none of these festivals would happen without her drive, initiative, and passion.“
Patron of Children’s Literature Festivals Actress Jenny Agutter OBE said:
“What a wonderful week of events for the children to experience. Christina and her team once again delivered a hugely successful festival with a strong emphasis on spreading kindness too. Congratulations to all who helped to make it happen.”
“What a wonderful week of events for the children to experience. Christina and her team once again delivered a hugely successful festival with a strong emphasis on spreading kindness too. Congratulations to all who helped to make it happen.”