Tickets go on sale for book festival’s ‘Spring Collection’

Tickets have gone on sale for Derby Book Festival’s brand-new ‘Spring Collection’ event.

Taking place from Thursday 29 February to Monday 4 March, it will feature 16 book-related events in venues across the city including Derby QUAD , Artcore and Derby Museums.

The Spring Collection will be the first of three festivals that will be presented by Derby Book Festival in 2024 offering year-round events for their audiences.

They are all funded by Arts Council England and the University of Derby, with sponsorship from several local businesses and individuals – and organised in partnership with all the major arts and cultural partners in the city, including Marketing Derby.

The festival includes a range of genres with something for all ages.

The Spring Collection line-up includes Lord Simon McDonald talking about his book Beyond, Jonathan Wilson talking about the lives of Bobby and Jackie Charlton and The Guardian long read journalist Sophie Elmhirst on the amazing story of Derby couple Maurice and Maralyn who, in the 1970s, decided to build their own boat and sail to New Zealand.

Disaster struck after their boat was struck by a whale and they were cast adrift for 118 days.

There will also be an event on Friday 23 February with sports psychologist, Dr Josephine Perry, organised in partnership with Marketing Derby for its Bondholders.

And following the success of the FREE CivicLAB events at the summer festival, University of Derby academics will present five more events each morning from 10.30am to 11.30am at Artcore to talk about their latest research and publications on a broad range of subjects.

Liz Fothergill CBE, chair of the festival, said: “2024 will be a bit different with, not two, but three festivals spreading the joy of books and reading.

“Our first, the Spring Collection, offers a wide-ranging programme exploring the beauty of our landscape, the history and future of our politics, our health and well-being and some of our favourite novelists.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE, vice-chancellor and chief executive at the University of Derby, said: “Derby Book Festival is a true highlight in our region’s cultural calendar and the University of Derby is proud to support this fantastic event once again as a founding and strategic partner.

“Events such as Derby Book Festival form a vital part of our city’s cultural identity, igniting the curiosity and interest of many across Derby.

“It is always a joy to see communities across the city and region come together in a shared love of books and reading.”

For more information about all the events taking place as part of the Spring Collection event, and to book tickets, visit https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on/events .