Jersey folklore, ancient monsters and original alt-folk soundings are set to be captured on the page by one of the UK’s foremost illustrators this September.
Organisers of Jersey Festival of Words have announced a series of events at this year’s festival featuring 2024 Press Award Cartoonist of The Year, Chris Riddell OBE (pictured).
Chris, who was the 2015-2017 Children’s Laureate, is an accomplished artist and the political cartoonist for the Observer. His books have won a number of major prizes, including the three CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals and the Costa Children’s Book Award.
Schoolchildren will be able at attend a live-drawing event at the Freedom Centre exploring legendary poems and ancient landscapes while learning about legends such as Arthur and Guinevere, the Queen of Sheba, Kubla Khan and Robin Hood, while a public family event will see Riddell team up with John Henry Falle aka The Storybeast for a live illustrated adventure through Jersey’s treasure horde of folktales. A picture book event for younger children is also planned.
In a special evening at the Blue Note Bar on Friday 27th September the artist will be joining Jersey songwriter Sam Falle (aka Winterfalle) and a handpicked lineup of emerging UK alt-folk artists for a unique fusion of live illustration and folk music, with artists’ lyrics being drawn live onstage by Riddell as they perform.
“We’re excited to be bringing the exceptional artistic talents of Chris Riddell to the island this September,” said Festival vice-chair Paul Bisson. “Even more exciting is the prospect of seeing him in live collaboration with the formidable twin talents of Story Beast and Winterfalle in what promises to be a unique series of interpretive events.”
Mr Bisson also revealed that Chris Riddell has agreed to illustrate the cover of this year’s programme and the Festival will be selling limited edition merchandise featuring the artwork.
More information about the Jersey Festival of Words can be found here.
