Australian Children's Laureates Visit City Of Culture

Two award winning authors from Down Under are thrilled to be visiting Derry-Londonderry

Tuesday April 2 will see the two inaugural Australian Children's Laureates pay a visit to Derry's Verbal Arts Centre. Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester will be reading their work and partaking in a question and answer session hosted by Joe Mahon, Lesser Spotted Culture, beginning at 10:30am.

The occasion is part of the Verbal Arts Centre's programme of events for City of Culture 2013, entitled Disobey Gravity.

The VAC's Learning & Skills Development Officer, Catherine McGrotty, says, "Disobey Gravity aims to saturate the city in great books, brilliant stories, exciting literary events, and, most importantly, promote reading for pleasure in 2013 and beyond. This particular event focuses on the important role reading has in the lives of children."

The award winning Australian authors were invited to Ireland by Arts Council NI Chief Executive Roisin McDonough to encourage creative interactions between the countries, hopefully leading to future collaborations in children's creativity. She believes there is much to be learned from the Laureates about how they use literature to connect with young people.

"What is certain is that Boori and Alison, here to share Australia's experience of the value of instilling a love of books in children, will give fresh impetus to all of us who are committed to the development of our young people through literature and the arts."

Both Laureates express their delight at visiting Ireland.

Pryor writes, "Ireland. I know you get a wee bit colder in the winter and not much warmer in the summertime. But summertime is always ready to shine from inside the hearts of your people."

Lester says, "I can’t wait to come to Ireland. I’ve been wanting to visit for as long as I’ve been able to read, I guess, because so many of the books I love are set in Ireland."

There will be two free children’s workshops held in the Verbal Arts Centre, Derry-Londonderry, in the afternoon. Boori Monty Pryor will be holding a participation based, storytelling workshop for children aged 6-10 years old and Alison Lester will be hosting a book making workshop for children aged 11-14 years old. Both will take place between 1:30 – 2:30pm. 

Email communications@verbalartscentre.co.uk to book a place or for more information.