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7:08 PM 16th April 2019
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The Big Malarkey Children’s Literature Festival Returns To Hull

 
The Big Malarkey Festival is back for its third year. A culture of discovery, the festival takes place from 26-30 June 2019 in East Park, Hull.

The programme is being announced in Hull on Saturday 20 April and to mark the occasion a very big four-legged guest will malarkey around the city centre spreading the word about Hull’s children’s literature festival, as it gives a flavour of the festival.

The programme includes major award-winning children’s authors Caroline Lawrence (Roman mysteries series) and Lisa Williamson (The Art of Being Normal), as well as illustrator Nick Sharratt and actor Simon Callow, who will narrate Roald Dahl’s Dirty Beasts.

Viisitors to Hull city centre this Easter will get the chance to experience a flavour of this year’s Big Malarkey Festival as a very big four-legged guest malarkeys around the city spreading the word about the exciting line-up for this year’s Festival.

On Saturday 20 April, the programme for Hull’s annual children’s literature festival - The Big Malarkey Festival - will be revealed. Back for its third year, the festival will feature an eclectic programme offering a culture of discovery for children of all ages.

To mark the launch of the programme, volunteers will escort a special four-legged guest around the city centre. Children will even get a chance to brush its teeth as they’re given a taste of what’s to come this June in East Park (aka Malarkey Park) as families are invited to step into a world of imagination and discover new and much-loved stories in a playful and celebratory programme.

Marjorie Brabazon, Chair of Hull Culture and Leisure, explains: “Join the Library, see the world! is our theme for 2019 as we invite children and families to use their library card to unlock all kinds of worlds through the books and services that Hull Libraries offer.

“From giant hippos to curious creations of all shapes and sizes, The Big Malarkey Festival gives them an exciting glimpse into this world as we bring well-loved stories to life.

“Festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet new and familiar authors and children will get the chance to experience a world of words and imagination, from comic books and plays to puppetry and revolting rhymes.”
On Saturday 20 April, families are invited to catch an early glimpse of the shenanigans due to unfold later this year, and to join the special guest as it makes its way down Albion Street to Queen Victoria Square (11.30am-12.10pm), and later from Whitefriargate to Queen Victoria Square and Albion Street (1.45pm and 2.30pm).

This year’s festival will have something for children of all ages, including an extensive programme for teens. Guests include major award-winning children’s authors Caroline Lawrence (Roman Mysteries series) and Lisa Williamson (The Art of Being Normal), as well as illustrator Nick Sharratt and actor Simon Callow, who will narrate Roald Dahl’s Dirty Beasts in the festival’s Sunday finale.

New for 2019 is an exhibition on the history of writing, 'Make Your Mark', and a marquee run by Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City (HYMC), where children can meet characters from the city's seafaring past. Local artists include Joe Hakim, Mambo Jambo, Cassandra Parkin, The Herd, Hull Truck Theatre, Camille Malaawy and Hull Freedom Chorus. Hull's very own children's author, Phil Earle, is the festival’s Writer in residence for the weekend and Hull Libraries will be launching their own children's picture book for early years children.

The Big Malarkey Festival includes a comprehensive schools programme as teachers and school children are invited to step into Malarkey Park from 26-28 June.

The Festival has been awarded funding for the next two years from Arts Council England and the James Reckitt Library Trust. Business Sponsors are Living with Water, who will be running activities for schools and a 'design-a-city' competition. KCOM is also supporting the festival for the second year running.

The Big Malarkey Festival runs from 26-30 June in East Park, Hull.
Tickets go on sale on 20 April and can be purchased online at www.thebigmalarkeyfestival.com. Adult tickets are priced at £5 per day, children’s tickets are £2.50 and under ones go free.

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy in Malarkey Park, while refreshments and food will be available to purchase from a range of vendors.
For further information visit www.thebigmalarkeyfestival.com

Date: Saturday 20 April
Walkabout 1: 11.30am-12.10pm: Albion Street - Queen Victoria Square
Walkabout 2: 1.45pm-2.30pm: Whitefriargate - Queen Victoria Square - Albion Street