Great expectations for Dickens bicentenary
If Charles Dickens’s life had been as long as some of his books, this Tuesday would have been his 200th birthday. Such has been the commemorative build-up in some literary quarters that many readers may already have decided not to ask for more.
This week, though, saw the launch, at the Ulster Hall, of a lively programme of more than 70 events for the Dickens 2012 NI festival, to be held in dozens of venues throughout the year. They include a David Copperfieldreadathon, a library reading tour across the North, three exhibitions on Dickens and Ireland, five touring theatre productions, musical evenings, film showings, education workshops, and more.
Fittingly, given the great novelist’s eventful childhood, the festival is being run in partnership with the children’s charity Barnardo’s Northern Ireland, whose director, Lynda Wilson, says, “Charles Dickens and Dr Thomas Barnardo were both 19th-century philanthropists who shocked Victorian society by exposing the impact of poverty and exploitation . . . Just as Dickens’s characters are still relevant today, so too is the reality of child poverty, and it is with the support of organisations such as Dickens 2012 NI that Barnardo’s is able to put practical programmes in place to help give those children the best possible start in life.”
For a full programme of events, see dickens2012ni.com.
Vote, vote, vote for the Laureate na nÓg
After two years as Ireland's first children's literature laureate, Siobhán Parkinson will complete her term in May. The energetic writer will be a hard act to follow, so Children's Books Ireland is looking for help in appointing her successor. If you or your organisation has a favourite author or illustrator you would like to see as Laureate na nÓg 2012-2014, you can make a nomination between now and February 24th. Your choices must be Irish and should be internationally recognised as people who have made significant contributions to children's literature in Ireland. You'll find details of the laureate's work and the nomination process at childrenslaureate.ie, or email info@childrensbooksireland.ie.
William Trevor/Elizabeth Bowen story competition
The hefty €20 entry fee may necessitate a personal austerity package, but if you’ve written a short story you’re especially pleased with, taking part in the 2012 William Trevor/Elizabeth Bowen International Short Story Competition offers the prospect of a particularly generous first prize of €3,000, sponsored by Trevor himself. There will also be a €500 second prize and five runner-up prizes of €200 each.
The prize, in its second year, was set up by Mitchelstown Literary Society to celebrate two Irish literary greats with Mitchelstown connections and to complement the society’s annual summer school. The main adjudicator this year will be the novelist and short-story writer Ita Daly, widow of the renowned editor and talent-spotter David Marcus.
The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday, March 30th, which leaves plenty of time to hone your story and make it worthy of the entry fee. Post your entries to Trevor/Bowen International Short Story Competition, 37 Upper Cork Street, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. You can find our more at mitchelstownlit.com.
