July 2009 saw the first ever Oxfam Bookfest – a fortnight packed with book events in Oxfam shops all over the UK. It was so successful — with over 350 events, a 40% rise in book donations and hundreds of thousands of pounds of poverty-busting sales — that the charity is doing it again in 2010. And they’re adding even more events, and selling even more books to make even more money to fund their work.
This year the book-based fun – which has attracted celebrity support from Bill Nighy, Joanne Trollope and many others – will go far and wide, with activities, events and displays across hundreds of Oxfam shops, libraries, community centres and other venues around the UK.
From Inverness to Plymouth, Carmarthen to Cambridge, Oxfam shops will host a myriad of book events, competitions, auctions and local family fun, celebrating all that the charity does with books. Watch out for the poet laureate in Manchester, the big book fair in Birmingham, Barbara Nadel in Hebden Bridge, a children’s bookmark competition in Brigg, a special screening of The History Boys in York, Jane Weir reading in Glossop, the 100 greatest books of the decade promotion in Newton Abbot, and much, much more.
Oxfam is even being joined by Hay (the book festival people) who are holding some very special events as part of Oxfam Bookfest, with unique readings by leading authors and celebrities for both children and adults. Look out for Joss Ackland, William Dalrymple, Simon Singh, Sarah Dunant, Eion Colfer, Cressida Cowell, Ian Rankin, David Shukman, Ben Okri, and even Bob the Builder!
The Oxfam BookFest takes place from July 3-17. Find more information here.
