Nottwich 2019

Cultural leaders from nearly thirty cities across five continents are coming to Nottingham next week for the global gathering of the UNESCO Cities of Literature. Two of the UK’s four UNESCO cities of literature, Norwich and Nottingham, are hosting the event called Nottwich (after Graham Greene’s fiction version of Nottingham in A Gun For Sale).

This exciting and prestigious programme of cultural events is the first time the international forum has taken place in England. The first stage is happening in Norwich before the delegates arrive here for events that include the annual UNESCO Lecture with Robert Macfarlane (a live streaming of which can be accessed), a visit to the Marketplace to explore our literacy projects (inc Read On Nottingham, Storysmash and Nottingham Does Comics), a meeting about comic strips and illustrated prose with Audrey Niffenegger and Eddie Campbell, a walking tour that will take in Five Leaves Bookshop, the Women’s Library and Newstead Abbey, an exhibition at Lakeside Arts: Romantic Facts and Fantasies, and a farewell dinner at Wollaton Hall.

The opportunity to exchange ideas and plan future projects should bring much benefit to the city.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to showcase Norwich and Nottingham as centres of literary excellence. This global gathering will send a unified message on the importance of collaboration, dialogue and creative partnership.”

Chris Gribble, CEO of the National Centre for Writing.

“Nottwich 2019 is a wonderful opportunity to show the rest of the world the things that make Nottingham and Norwich UNESCO Cities of Literature. The fact that both our cities will be visited by delegates from so many countries is not only an opportunity to get to know each other better and to exchange best practices but also to highlight the importance of knowledge and creativity as a driving force for the growth of modern cities.”

Sandeep Mahal, Director, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature.