THE LITERATURE AND FILM FESTIVAL
OF THE NORTH
The first Stonyhurst Literature & Film Festival, featuring a distinguished line-up of authors, critics and speakers, is set to attract visitors from throughout the UK to the Ribble Valley
This August, Stonyhurst will host a variety of prestigious authors and speakers at the College’s first Literature & Film Festival.
Literature and film lovers across the UK will be welcomed to the College to share its fine literary heritage and excitement is mounting as the festival programme takes shape. This will feature celebrated authors, literary critics and speakers covering a broad range of genres and a number of diverse cultural and popular topics.
The festival will culminate with an outdoor cinema performance in the magnificent grounds of the College, overlooking the stunning countryside of the Ribble Valley – a quintessential English summer’s evening where visitors can sample some of Lancashire’s finest foods, whilst discovering the creative and enriching pleasures of film.
Inspired by the Oxford and Blenheim Palace Literature Festivals, which have attracted thousands of visitors over the past decade, the Stonyhurst Literature & Film Festival aims to establish a festival revered across the North of England.
The festival’s vision is to inspire audiences of all ages, nurture the next generation of art lovers, and encourage young people to discover the best works in literature, film and culture.
Welcoming the first Literature & Film Festival to the College, Stonyhurst Headmaster John Browne, explains: “Stonyhurst’s rich literary heritage and fascinating history make it the perfect setting for what we hope will be the finest Literature & Film Festival in the North of England.
“This supportive and diverse community helps develop qualities of character and academic achievements that will distinguish pupils in later life, creating leading figures in many fields. To that end we want to share out literary history and inspire visitors to discover the creative pleasures of literature and film.”
Set in a magnificent Grade I listed building, the College is home to the oldest museum in the English-speaking world and has a fascinating collection of books and impressive array of artefacts. Among these are Shakespeare’s First Folio, often regarded as one of the most important pieces of work in the history of English literature.
Over the last 400 years Stonyhurst has been home to, and the inspiration for, some of the literary greats. The Stonyhurst Literature & Film Festival provides the perfect platform to share with visitors the College’s strong literary connections. This unique venue, at the heart of the Ribble Valley, serves to enhance the impact of the wonderful authors and speakers. The Stonyhurst Collections will be open throughout the festival, and feature some of the great works in literary history, which the College is proud to share with a knowledgeable and curious audience.
The High Sheriff of Lancashire, Anthony Attard OBE DL, is delighted to endorse this new venture for the College and the local area, explaining: “Culture is a measure of how societies advance. If culture were to be removed from history there would be little record of our humanity. Culture is also a major catalyst for change. I cannot think of a more appropriate setting for a festival of this kind, the aim of which is to attract visitors from across the country to be inspired by the College’s great literary and artistic heritage, and experience a variety of speakers, all of whom are specialists in their field.”
Held on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th August 2019, the Stonyhurst Literature & Film Festival will enable visitors to explore the delights of the Ribble Valley, famed for its food and heritage, and acknowledged as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Festival Team are inviting esteemed local businesses and individuals to support this venture, with the aim of attracting visitors to Lancashire. This presents a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to the arts, support the exchange of ideas and help to build partnerships and connections.
The festival partners and sponsors will be at the heart of what makes this Literature & Film Festival distinctive and sets it apart from other festivals of its kind.
The College is committed to ensuring all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, should have the opportunity to enjoy literature and the arts.
“We are delighted to welcome the Stonyhurst Literature & Film Festival into the Ribble Valley events calendar. The area has a rich cultural heritage and a variety of local tourism facilities that is able to support such a prestigious event,” says Tom Pridmore, RVBC Tourism and Event Officer.
Tourism organisation, Visit Lancashire, adds: “Stonyhurst is one of Lancashire’s internationally renowned and architecturally magnificent buildings nestled in one of the country’s most beautiful locations. A historic school with great literary associations, it is the perfect place to host a unique Literature & Film Festival.”
The full festival programme and open air cinema performance will be announced over the coming months. For more information or ticket sales, please visit: enterprises.stonyhurst.ac.uk
Stonyhurst College
Clitheroe BB7 9PZ
enterprises.stonyhurst.ac.uk
