Actor Jassa Ahluwalia returns for a special pre-festival event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Saturday, 25 January at 6.30pm. He will discuss his debut book, “Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity,” in a thought-provoking conversation with Wolverhampton’s own Sathnam Sanghera, an acclaimed author and journalist. For over twenty-five years, Ahluwalia identified as 'half Indian, half English.' His fluency in Punjabi often left others bewildered, medical staff questioned the legitimacy of his name, and the casting world deemed him not 'the right kind of mixed-race.' Feeling torn between two worlds, Jassa initiated a movement to redefine how people perceive and discuss mixed identity. We are excited to have Ahluwalia and Sanghera at the festival for an inspiring evening.
Poet Hollie McNish will be welcomed to the stage at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Friday 31 January at 7pm, as part of her sold-out tour for her new book “Lobster: And Other Things I’m Learning to Love.” A Sunday Times bestselling writer whose live readings are not to be missed; audiences can expect a gift-wrapped event that is gorgeously crafted in poetry. In “Lobster”, McNish brings her much-loved style to questions of friendship, flags, and newborns, shining a ridiculous and beautifully poetic lens on all those things we have been taught to hate, and which we might just learn to love again.
As an early bird special, the festival will offer the first 40 tickets for both events at a discounted price of £10, with subsequent standard tickets priced at £12. Don’t miss out on these amazing events and join us at the festival. To stay up to date with the festival, follow us on our social media pages.
If you would like to perform on the same bill as these two amazing speakers, the open call is open until 18 August. Wolverhampton Literature Festival is always looking to champion the creative voices of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands, providing a platform to showcase the talents of our creative community. While the event is primarily a literature festival, organisers welcome a range of art forms for the 2025 festival. If you have an idea or would like to showcase your talents on our stages, please get in touch.
Organisers encourage submissions from those who are underrepresented in our programming, including but not limited to disabled artists and people from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Please submit your proposals through the online form Proposal Form or as a 5-10 min audio/video entry by emailing LitFest@wolverhampton.gov.uk
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “It is fantastic that the festival is retuning to the city and is a platform to showcase skills and talents from all different backgrounds.
“To have two events already announced just shows how popular the event is. I look forward to seeing the complete line up and what the festival has to offer in 2025.”
In your proposal please outline:
• proposed session title
• speaker(s) biography and contact information
• proposal Outline (max 250 words)
• budget Breakdown (Include Artist Fees, Commissioning Fees, Materials etc.)
• any special requirements or technical needs
Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, relevance, and potential to engage the audience. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-September. Please read the terms and conditions before submitting a proposal.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is free to visit Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 4.30pm) and Sunday (11am to 4pm). Glaze café is open Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 4pm) and Sunday (11am to 3.30pm). For more information visit Wolverhampton Arts & Culture.
