Manx Litfest is a Manx charity that stages an annual literary festival to promote a love of reading and writing on the Island, creates a community of writers and literature fans, and provides opportunities to local people to meet those working in the literary world.
Manx Litfest choses venues that are accessible by public transport and works which venues that adopt sustainable practices and are Biosphere Partners such as Noa and Fynoderee.
The charity encourages authors to travel to the Island by boat rather than fly. It reuses advertising banners and keeps printed advertising to a minimum. This year it will donate any leftover programmes and posters to a school for use in an art project. Ticketing and newsletters are entirely electronic.
The charity promotes the cultural heritage of the Isle of Man, with events run alongside local authors who have written about the Island such as Fiona Gell, whose book 'Spring Tides' formed the basis of a writing/poetry workshop around climate change.
It works closely with Culture Vannin, which points it to local writers publishing work about the Island and its culture.
Elise Downing, author of 'Coasting', and an inspirational speaker on the subject of the environment, is appearing at the 2023 festival and future festivals will involve other authors and poets who are passionate about the environment and the health of the planet.
Schools Day is one of the most important parts of Manx Litfest, connecting authors with schools for workshops, assemblies, readings etc, spreading the love of reading and writing.
