Poetry Workshop, with Michael Manning
We are absolutely delighted that local poet, Michael Manning will be running a poetry workshop for adults this year! Don’t forget to bring a pen and something to write on, as Michael guides attendees through coming up with ideas and creating their own poems.
Michael is a former Manx Bard, who left school at the age of 15 with no qualifications, to pursue his writing - later publishing a non-fiction book, before starting up a small local charity ‘Graih’, to aid the homelss population on the Isle of Man.
A voracious reader, and lover of language and of poetry, Michael takes his inspiration for his own poetry from his faith, the beauty of the Isle of Man - especially the hills on a sunny day, the experiences of people on the margins of society and social injustice.
Human Rights, Robot Wrongs, with Susie Alegre
Susie Alegre is an international human rights lawyer with a specialist understanding of technology, AI and human rights.
Originally from the Isle of Man, her career has taken her all over the world, and she has worked for internationals NGOs including the United Nations, the European Union and the Council of Europe. She also publishes and appears regularly in the media, both in the UK and further afield.
This event is for anyone who would like to know more about the link between AI and human rights, and the impact AI has on the world around us.
Mark Grist an award-winning poet, rapper, storyteller, podcaster and children’s author, who rose to fame when his Don’t Flop rap battle against Mancunian MC Blizzard became an internet sensation. Mark’s shows are absolutely unmissable, thanks to his inspirational storytelling skills and passion for his subject, along with his complex grasp of rhyme and writing techniques.
His live show ‘Rogue Teacher’, which he is performing at Manx Litfest, is currently in development as a feature film with Studio Canal.
As the self-proclaimed Rogue Teacher of his show’s title, Mark left his career as an English teacher to try and pursue his love of words more directly as a poet, and it’s these stages of his life, along with the inadvertent rap battles that brought him to the public’s attention, that make up the majority of this show.
Get a combined ticket to this event and ‘An Evening with Joanne Harris’ for £30
Rogue Teacher, with Mark Grist
We are thrilled to welcome Joanne back to Manx Litfest, ten years on from her first visit.
Joanne is perhaps best known for her bestselling 1999 novel, ‘Chocolat’, which was turned into a film of the same name, but she is the author of many critically-acclaimed works, in a whole variety of different genres, including gothic horror, psychological thriller, Norse mythology, fairytales and cookery.
Over the course of the evening Joanne will be talking about her writing, particularly her newest book ‘Vianne’ - the long awaited prequel to ‘Chocolat’.
Get a combined ticket to this event and ‘Rogue Teacher, with Mark Grist’ for £30