Folkestone Book Festival is looking to the future, with new curators and the theme of once local author HG Wells.

With its title The Shape of Things to Come, this year’s event launched the Christmas festivities in the town’s Creative Quarter, with Booker Prize-winning author Ben Okri doing the switch-on honours.

Running until Sunday, November 24, the festival brings together authors, actors and musicians to consider future thinking, in and around Folkestone.

Events include Words & Music Time Machine Events - 2003 & 1723: England & Germany when, on Saturday, November 23,

actor Toby Jones will read Campo Santo by WG Sebald, and Natalie Clein will perform Cello Suites by JS Bach.

The concert, featuring the actor who played Truman Capote in Infamous and was in Finding Neverland, will be staged in St Dunstan Church, Snargate in Romney Marsh.

On the same date at 8pm, Canterbury Poet Laureate Lemn Sissay presents My Name Is Why. He will recount his life story, a story of neglect and determination, misfortune and hope, cruelty and triumph, at Folkestone Quarterhouse.

DETAILS

Folkestone Book Festival runs at venues in and around the town until Sunday, November 24.

See the programme and book tickets at creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestone-book-festival

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