20 Aug 2014
Norwich's literati gathered last night for the launch of a new campaign highlighting its place as a City of Stories. A joint initiative by VisitNorwich and Norwich BID, and unfolding in 12 chapters over the next three months, an eclectic mix of stories from the city will be recounted in different formats based around a focussed theme each week, all of which celebrate the originality and creativity to be found in the city.
Norwich's literary credentials are well-established – from Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love (the first book written by a woman and published in the English language) to local novelist Eimear McBride who earlier this year won the £30,000 Women's Prize for Fiction for her book A Girl Is A Half-Formed Thing. Norwich was the first city to implement the Public Library Act of 1850 and more books are borrowed every year from the Millennium Library than any other in the UK. What's more, it is the only UNESCO City of Literature in England.
But what about the less well-known stories, the new creations as well as the legendary tales that make up the fabric of this city and its people? Backed by extensive social media updates, City of Stories will be sharing stories old and new over the three-month campaign. Residents and visitors alike are invited to join in the free series of “Living the Story”, participating in live events in and around the city, while those on the trail of an original tale can visit venues around Norwich to collect drinks mats and bookmarks featuring various works, many of which are by members of the Writers' Centre Norwich.
Peter Wilson MBE DL, Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal, hosted the launch event on 18th August, appropriately enough at The Library restaurant on Guildhall Hill “Stories are as much a defining feature of Norwich as canals are for Venice and show-songs are for some of the great American cities” said Peter, “Our fine city has generated many great stories, and certainly has many more to tell”. The theatre itself has a rich and varied history at the heart of the city's arts movement dating back to Georgian times, and it will form a crucial part of the focus of Chapter 1 – Through the Eye of the Beholder, detailing the story of the city's history in the visual arts.
During the launch Henry Layte, owner of Norwich's only independent bookshop The Bookhive, shared his own story of publishing Eimear McBride's novel. Henry has long been a champion of independent writers and booksellers and The Bookhive is hosting a number of events and activities during the week of 8th September celebrating Chapter 4 – The City Built on Books.
With readings and performances in the snug from up-and coming writers as well as seasoned novelists and published poets, and the Lacons bar, the City of Stories launch was brought to life with music from local bands Echoes in the Well and funk from Killamonjambo. Short stories and poems by some of the same writers also feature on drinks mats and bookmarks to be collected from bars and hotels around the city for the duration of the campaign.
City of Stories aims to bring new and exciting stories to Norwich through exploration of its buildings, people, food and shops. The campaign includes a competition open to all ages, with entrants asked to submit a 60 word story and compete for a VIP weekend at the Marriott Sprowston Manor.
Full details on events and activities unfolding over the next 12 weeks, and competition details can be found online at cityofstories.co.uk. The campaign is strongly supported by social media – follow the story on Facebook – facebook.com/NorwichCityofStories,Twitter.com/VisitNorwich and Instagram.com/norwich_cityofstories.
Press Trip Invitation
Members of the press who wish to cover any of the themes in print or online are invited to Norwich to create their own story. Please register your interest with Melanie Cook, Senior PR & Digital Marketing Executve at VisitNorwich.
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For more information and images please contact Melanie Cook, melanie.cook@visitnorwich.co.uk or on 01603 727939.
Notes to editors:
Visit Norwich
VisitNorwich is the official destination management organisation for the Norwich area. It markets the area locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. VisitNorwich is a private/public sector partnership, partly funded by Norwich city Council and South Norfolk Council, and is a non-profit organisation.
Norwich BID
Established in November 2012, the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) is run for local businesses by local businesses. It is a simple, tried and tested way of increasing economic prosperity for companies of all sizes through collaboration. The BID covers a defined area of Norwich where businesses plan how to improve their trading environment, identifying additional projects and services which develop the city centre and trade. Investment in the BID area aims to enhance and promote the local environment for businesses, employees and customers.
