Liverpool’s longest-running writing festival, WoWFEST, returns in May with a line-up of famous names.

WoWFEST: FUTURE IMPERFECT will take place online and in venues across the city, featuring such headliners as award-winning journalist Gary Younge (pictured), poet Hannah Lowe, The Responder creator Tony Schumacher, authors Ashleigh Nugent and Danielle Owen-Jones, and Liverpool Literary Agency founder Clare Coombes.

More special guests are set to be announced throughout April.

This year’s theme, FUTURE IMPERFECT, aims to press the reset button. What does the future hold for us all? Can we find a new utopia amidst the global dystopian scenes that pour daily from our screens? WoWFEST: FUTURE IMPERFECT will be a space to “explore world-changing ideas, and to offer hope through creativity and community”.

Other events include the launch of Kay Flavell’s ‘People of the Lane: Living in and around Lark Lane, Liverpool, 1880-2020’ and ‘Love Letter to Odessa: All Refugees are Welcome!’ to send messages of love and solidarity to Liverpool’s sister city.

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. From this came a month-long festival that celebrates writing, diversity, and storytelling, supported by Arts Council England.

Since its launch, WoWFEST has catapulted the careers of many successful writers, spoken word artists and performers. The festival also provides an array of opportunities for Liverpool creatives to meet fellow writers, learn from professionals, develop their work, and celebrate the city’s diversity and talent.

Madeline Heneghan and Mike Morris, WoW’s co-directors, said: “We’re delighted to be back with a live festival after two years of lockdown. We’ll be hosting events in some of the city’s much-loved arts and community venues, including The Bluecoat, Sefton Park Palm House, Blackburne House, Toxteth TV and Chapters Of Us.

“Future Imperfect is all about acknowledging the grief, hostility, war, discrimination, and crises we are all currently facing, whilst also exploring the possibility of a future utopia, and potential glimmers of hope. We’re looking forward to hearing insights from our incredible line-up of speakers, and exploring our dreams for the future, together.

“These are just the initial headline names to be announced, but we’ll be revealing even more high-profile names and exciting events in the coming weeks.

“We are proud of the work we have achieved, bringing creativity to local communities, tackling social issues, and encouraging the people of Liverpool to tell their story. Our festival is not only a continuation of this work, but a chance to reconnect with some familiar faces and celebrate with the city’s creative community.”

WoW is offering gifted and reduced rate tickets, and a pay it forward scheme. Full details about the festival and tickets for each event, including concessions, are available here

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