Contemporary sagas bring authors to 2015 JORVIK Viking Festival
If there’s one thing that truly brings the Vikings to life it’s hearing stories about them and there are plenty of those in store at this year’s JORVIK Viking Festival taking place in York, 14-22 February 2015.
“We are very excited about the varied line-up of author events at this year's Viking Festival - from award-winning popular children's author Jeremy Strong to bestselling historical fiction writer Giles Kristian, with fascinating non-fiction titles from Vincent Atherton, Snorri Krisjanssen and Matthew Townend - there really is something for everyone,” says event organiser Danielle Daglan.
The Festival’s line up of literary events starts with Vincent Atherton discussing his book Viking Voices: The Sword of Amleth and how he endeavours to keep fact and fiction apart. Viking Voices: The Sword of Amleth follows the fortunes of a man named Ragnald, who became king of both York and Dublin, told through the eyes of the fictional Amleth. Much of the action takes place in the Wirral, the Ribble and York, culminating in the war of AD 910 with the battle of Tettenhall near Wolverhampton. The event will take place on Monday 16 February at 2pm at York Mansion House. Tickets cost £4.00 for adults and £3.00 for concessions. Pre-booking advised.
On Tuesday 17 February Matthew Townend, of the University of York, will give a fascinating insight into his new book, Viking Age Yorkshire, which is the first ever full-length study of Yorkshire’s Viking centuries, from the fall of York to the Norman Conquest of 1066. There will be an opportunity to meet Matthew and get books signed. Starting at 2pm, the event will be held at York Mansion. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £3 for concessions. Pre-booking advised.
A true giant of children’s literature, Jeremy Strong will chat about his hilarious Viking stories, and about the business of transforming his ideas into much-loved characters and adventures in a question and answer session at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall on Wednesday 18 February at 2pm. There will be a chance to meet the man himself, buy his books and get them signed. Suitable for ages 7 and up. Tickets cost £7.50 per person and include a free child’s ticket to JORVIK Viking Centre for each child’s ticket purchased - valid for 12 months. Pre-booking strongly advised
Bestselling historical novelist Giles Kristian will be at the Festival on Friday 18 February with his exciting new book God of Vengeance. A prequel to the popular Raven trilogy, God of Vengeance follows Sigurd, son of Jarl Harald, in his quest for revenge after his family is put to the sword by King Gorm. Neither men nor Gods will stand in Sigurd’s way in this powerful, action-packed bloody epic!
This event will take place at York Mansion House at 2.00pm. Tickets cost £4.00 for adults and £3.00 for concessions. Pre-booking advised.
Live storytelling will take place every day throughout the Festival at 11am, 1pm and 3pm at the Vikings central camp on Parliament Street, where visitors will also be able to see a Viking longship kitted out for war, learn about Norse weapons and warfare and meet the cunning woman prescribing cures for aches, pains and war wounds!
The 2015 JORVIK Viking Festival will also see the conclusion of the third Bloodaxe Book Challenge, which Festival organisers York Archaeological Trust run with Explore York Library Service, with the aim of encouraging children to read throughout the school winter holiday period, collecting bookmarks and stickers for each book they read, and offering the opportunity to meet a well-known children’s author at the Festival. For more information please visit www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk/bloodaxe.
For more information or details for how to book tickets, please visit www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk
ENDS
For further media information or photographs, please contact:
Sam Orange or Jay Commins
Pyper York Limited
Tel: 01904 500698
Email: sam@pyperyork.co.uk or jay@pyperyork.co.uk