The Blandford Literary Festival was the inspiration of a group of local writers sharing a love of words and a desire to use the beautiful town of Blandford and its fabulous buildings to take people on an exciting journey through stories, plays, poems, song and much more. The first major festival took place in November 2019, with a Festival of Words in March 2022.
The Festival’s Mission is to cultivate a thriving and inclusive literary community that celebrates diverse voices, fostering a love of reading for all ages, and promoting social good through the power of words. As a Community Interest Company, the Festival is committed to reinvesting profits to enrich our community and support literacy initiatives.
Talks and events take place at various venues across the town to enhance the experience for authors, speakers, performers and audience. Local cafes will host informal gatherings where you can chat with authors, poets and like-minded souls while enjoying a drink and something to eat.
To encourage the next generation of creatives and readers, there is a schools programme with a competition to encourage participation, and Young Adult author talks, workshops and interactive creative opportunities.