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Welcome to Off the Shelf Festival of Words 2013
12 October – 2 November 2013
Off the Shelf is one of the UK’s most prestigious, innovative, exciting and popular literary festivals. The festival offers a wide ranging programme of author events, debates, poetry, workshops, walks, talks, exhibitions, storytelling, competitions, events for children and young people and more.
Off the Shelf is organised by the Sheffield City Council Major Events Service -
Over 25,000 people attended Off the Shelf events in 2012. A further 19,000 football fans at Sheffield United's ground by poet Jackie Kay read a poem commissioned for the Kick if Out campaign. This poem will be permanently displayed at Bramall Lane this year as part of Off the Shelf’s Text and the City project. Over 30,000 people heard a song commissioned by Off the Shelf and Sheffield Children’s Festival and performed by a group of young people called The Fuse at the Torch Relay celebrations in June 2012.
Benjamin Zephaniah was the guest curator of Off the Shelf in 2012 and chose a theme of giving a voice to young people. He invited a group of young people from Sheffield who took part in The Youth Word Up poetry performance during the festival to join him when he was the guest editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme on 31 December. This broadcast reached an audience of 7.3 million listeners.
We will start programming the 2013 festival soon, so watch out for news on the website or follow us on Facebook – Off the Shelf Festival or Twitter –otsfestival, join our e-mailing list at offtheshelf@sheffield.gov.uk
“By far and away one of the best festivals in the UK” Clara Wormersley Random House
“One of the most pleasant and enjoyable festivals I have attended – and I’ve been to one or two.” Sir Michael Parkinson
Help us improve Off the Shelf
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Rhyme and Reason
Books for Children of All Ages
Rhyme and Reason will provide bookstalls at festival events. If you are unable to attend an event in person, Rhyme and Reason can organised signed copies for you. Tel. 0114 266 1950 or e-mail enquiries@rhyme-reason.co.uk
