Jeremy Corbyn to speak at Liverpool's 'virtual' writing festival

A writing festival which had been under threat of collapse because of the lockdown is relaunching as a virtual event.

Liverpool’s Writing on the Wall Festival has been renamed WoWFEST: LOCKDOWN and will go ahead with speakers including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the author of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh.

It runs until the end of the month with more than 20 events, including a range of famous poets, writers, authors, academics, criminologists, doctors and politicians from across the world.

Mr Corbyn will make a speech on May 31 titled ‘A Call To The Arts’ which aims to celebrate the value of arts and culture now and in the future.

Other famous names who feature in the line up include criminologist, Phil Scraton, probably best known for his work following the Hillsborough disaster; and BBC Radio 6 DJ, Stuart Maconie.

All of the sessions will be interactive with the audience members being encouraged to ask questions and interact with the speakers following their performances/presentations.

The event is free and will be live streamed via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/writingonthewall.liverpool/

Writing on the Wall came to life following the 1995-1998 lockout of the Liverpool Dockers and the creation of the film, Dockers, which aired on Channel 4 in 1999.

This sparked the idea for a month-long festival of artists which is backed by Arts Council England.

Since its launch, the event has touched the lives of thousands of people and helped to launch the careers of many successful writers and spoken word artists and performers.

The organisers are asking anyone who would like to make a donation to do so and this money will be divided between South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service, Fans Supporting Food Banks and Writing on the Wall.

Further details on all of the events throughout this month are available from: www.wowfest.uk