The world-renowned Theakston Old
Peculier Crime Writing Festival has announced that it will go ahead later this
year, after the Government unveiled its roadmap out of lockdown.
Taking place in Harrogate,
from 22-25 July – well after expected lifting of restrictions on 21 June - the
Festival will celebrate a return to live events after a difficult and uncertain
year for Harrogate International Festivals. Forced to cancel the Theakston Old
Peculier Crime Writing Festival, alongside their wider summer season in 2020,
the arts charity moved online, welcoming new audiences and taking the
experience of ‘Harrogate’ to the world.
The return to a live event,
announced on social media yesterday, was well received by audiences, with over
80% of early ticket bookers for the 2020 Festival having already transferred
their tickets to 2021.
After the lockdown saw a
soar in popularity of the genre in the bestseller charts, as more and more
readers turned their fiction interests to crime, the 2021 Theakston Old
Peculier Crime Writing Festival, supported by T & R Theakston, will
celebrate crime fiction in all its kinds, with a programme curated by
Programming Chair Ian Rankin alongside the acclaimed Festival Committee and the RankinHarrogate International Festivals team.
Chief Executive of
Harrogate International Festivals, Sharon Canavar, said: ‘‘Whilst the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be extremely dynamic with rules and regulations
changing constantly, the Government Roadmap suggested a return to normal by
this Summer. We are adapting and evolving our plans to be able to deliver a
safe and agile Festival in line with the government regulations at the time,
with additional safety measures where necessary, whilst also ensuring the
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival retains the iconic feel that has
ensured its place as the most successful crime writing festival in the world.
We remain optimistic about
the year ahead and like people across the UK, we are very much looking forward
to the return of live events.”
Festival fans can expect a range
of live author talks, panels and special guests, as well as some hybrid events
to ensure that audiences who are unable to travel can access the Festival,
bringing the power of literature to all in 2021.
The full author line-up,
and ticket on sale dates for the Festival will be announced in the coming
months. More information can be found at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
which will be updated regularly.
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