Paul Howard at the Cork World Book Fest 2012 Programme Launch

The 8th Cork World Book Fest was launched by Paul Howard aka Ross O’Carroll Kelly, creator, author and journalist, with a reading from his hilarious bestselling book ‘Nama Mia’ at the Triskel Arts Centre, Cork. The annual festival will run from the 19th to 23rd April 2012 and once again features internationally acclaimed authors such as leading contemporary writer Dermot Healy, one of Ireland’s foremost poets Paul Durcan, RTE European Correspondent Paul Cunningham, accomplished psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney, Catalan writer Jaume Subirana, and writers who have been included in the Best of European Fiction 2012.

Commenting on the programme, Fest Chairman Liam Ronayne said, “Each year the Fest attracts around 15,000 people and we are continuing to build on successful aspects of previous Fests while adding new features.  As in the past, the great vibe of Saturday’s range of all-day events and activities will continue with outdoor music and a selection of book and food stalls lining the Grand Parade.  It is very important that the Fest engages people of all ages to enjoy the wonderful world of books and reading and this year we are again hosting a Teen Day, with events dedicated to teenagers, and a Family and Kids day, for which we’ve ‘borrowed’ the brand ‘Park & Read’ with events for children as young as three.”

 The Fest will be officially opened on Thursday, 19th April by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Terry Shannon.  The opening night events will feature a reading by Paul Durcan from his brand new collection Praise in Which I Live and Move and Have My Being, which finds the poet on the road in Paris, New York City, Chicago, Brisbane, and Achill Island, meditating upon the sanctuary of home and what it means to feel truly at home.

Highlights on Friday, 20th April, are RTE European Correspondent and author Paul Cunningham in conversation with former journalist and current CEO of Storyful, Mark Little at 8.30 pm at Triskel Christchurch, and a special evening in the Library celebrating the life and work of author and artist Brian Lalor.

On Saturday, 21st April, there will be readings and a discussion with highly acclaimed first time novelists Kathleen MacMahon and Greg Baxter, followed by a presentation by renowned psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney at Triskel Christchurch. Later that evening, Dermot Healy will read from his new book, Long time – No See, at Cork City Library.

On Sunday Triskel Christchurch will launch a Books into Film series – a Patricia Highsmith Film Programme comprising ‘A Stranger on the Train’, ‘The American Friend’, ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ and ‘The Cry of the Owl’, which will run from Sunday, 22 April to Wednesday, 25 April.

Monday, 23 April, highlights include a reading from the Best European Fiction 2012, a collection of stories from across Europe featuring new voices alongside more established names. Cork World Book Fest is delighted to begin an association with the publisher, The Dalkey Archive, and have invited two of their writers Donal McLaughlin and Arno Camenisch to read at Cork City Library at 8.30 pm.

The Festival offers something for everyone and on Thursday the 19th April a Teen Day will be held at the Cork Central Library with a range of events for creative teenagers. These include the announcement of the winner of the 5th Annual Short Story Competition and the winner of My Cork: Teenage Impressions of the City photography competition along with the publication of the 4th Annual Graphic Novel, a collaboration of graphics and stories from local teenagers.

On Saturday, 21st April, under the banner Park & Read, there will be a host of events for families including, Cork Community Art Link’s The Journey of the Book, a life size book where characters will come to life in Bishop Lucey Park and Dowtcha Puppets Grandma’s Garden at  Triskel Christchurch.

All events will be held at the Cork City Central Library and the Triskel Christchurch with an outdoor market on the Grand Parade and children’s events in Bishop Lucey Park on Saturday, 21st April.

Events at Cork City Library are free.  Triskel events can be booked online at www.triskelartscentre.ie or by calling 021 4272022. For the full programme see www.constantreader.ie/corkworldbookfest.

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