Irish language book festival for Derry
Feabhra 19, 2013
The first Irish language book and storytelling festival to take place here will keep local children entertained in March.
Féile Bheag na Leabhar runs from 7th – 9th March as part of Irish Language Week 2013.
The festival aims to inspire a love of books, reading and storytelling in the Irish language among children of all ages. Féile Bheag na Leabhar begins on Thursday March 7 with a special storytelling event for children aged between 8 and 11 to celebrate World Book Day.
Led by award-winning Donegal storyteller Gearóidín Bhreathnach, the World Book Day event will encourage children to talk as Gaeilge with the guest storyteller and each other about their favourite books in Irish and help them find new books to fall in love with. On Friday 8th March, well-known Irish language writer and storyteller, Séamas Mac Annaidh will lead a reading and storytelling event for children aged between 5 and 7 which will re-imagine traditional Irish myths and fables for a younger audience.
This event will feature folktales and legends reinterpreted for new listeners and told in the storyteller’s inimitable dramatic style. The festival closes on Saturday 9th March with the launch of the beautiful children’s book ‘Déanann Rosie Réidh’ which was written, illustrated and produced by local author Trisha Deery and which will be read in Irish by Derry-based performance artist Cara Ní Mhaonaigh.
Participating children are invited to come dressed for a party like the Rosie Red character who features in the book and hear stories in Irish take part in some fun party activities in the Irish language. Trisha Deery who wrote and illustrated the book will also be there to join in the celebrations and to do some live drawing with the children! Féile Bheag na Leabhar is organised by Derry City Council in partnership with the Humdinger! Children’s Literature Festival.
You can download the full Humdinger! programme from the following link: www.humdingerbookfestival.com.
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