THE FALMOUTH BOOK FESTIVAL 2023 TAKES PLACE BETWEEN MONDAY 16 AND SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2023. READ BETWEEN THE LINES: THIS IS A FAB WEEK FOR BOOKWORMS! HERE’S OUR RUNDOWN FOR THE BEST CORNISH BOOK FESTIVAL 2023…
One of the best book festivals in Cornwall takes place in one of the busiest ports in the world, Falmouth, in October 2023. Between Monday 16 and Sunday 22 October 2023, in fact. The Falmouth Book Festival 2023 will be in its third year. This is one of the Duchy’s best book festivals of the calendar, despite its relative youth.
The inaugural festival in 2021 was toasted as a ‘success’ by its organisers, so the 2022 event elongated and became a full week. Plenty of events were held across town over the seven days.
But the 2023 Falmouth Book Festival is set to be the biggest and best yet. There are plenty of big events going on across the week but here’s our pick of the events taking place:
Monday 16 October 2023, 7pm at The Poly: Louis de Bernieres chats about his new Cornwall-based novel, ‘Light over Liskeard’.
Tuesday 17 October 2023, 7pm at The Poly: Comedian Robin Ince explores books in his inimitably funny style.
Wednesday 18 October 2023, 7pm at The Poly: Nigerian-born British poet and novelist Ben Okri discusses the climate crisis.
Thursday 19 October 2023, 7pm at The Poly: Historian James Holland talks about ‘writing history’.
Friday 20 October 2023, 7pm at The Poly: Campaigner and author Natasha Walker speaks with memoirist Cathy Rentzenbrink about her new work.
Friday 20 October 2023, 8pm at The Poly: Seamus Carey’s ‘Help! I Think I’m a Nationalist’ comedy show.
Saturday 21 October 2023, 2pm at The Poly: Travel writer Tim Hannigan’s ‘Cornish Odyssey’ talk.
Saturday 21 October 2023, 6pm at The Poly: The youngest winner in Booker Prize history, Eleanor Catton, in conversation.
Sunday 22 October 2023, 6pm at The Poly: Comedian and poet Tim Key talks life, jokes and his ‘Chapters’ poetry collection.
Also expect workshops, children’s activities and other events big and small, to be taking place at The Poly and other venues in town during the week. It is run in association with Falmouth University. For all of the events and activities, head to the official website by clicking the ‘website’ link above.
The big names who talked at the 2022 festival included Raynor Winn, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, George Monbiot and Paterson Joseph. Other celebrated authors who were in conversation during the fest included Sheila Hancock, Rebecca Humphries, Will Hodgkinson and Rachel Joyce. An array of ‘high energy poetry readings’ also went down a treat, as well as the children’s events at local schools and interactive workshops on the Cornish language, creative writing and illustration.
But looking at the lineup for the 2023 edition, this really has cemented itself as one of Cornwall’s best book festivals. Be there as this growing event in Falmouth turns a new page.