ANOTHER highlight of the arts calendar in Cumbria has fallen victim to COVID-19, as the organisers of Carlisle’s Borderlines Festival announced they have had to cancel the event for this year.
This event brings some of the biggest international names in publishing, as well as local writers, together for wonderful mix of lectures and workshops in Carlisle.
Last year the writer of ‘The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency‘ series and many other titles, Alexander McCall Smith returned to Borderlines for the final event of the 2019 Festival. The ballroom of the Crown & Mitre in the centre of Carlisle was filled to capacity to hear this popular author talk about his characters and his transition from Professor of Medical Law to an international bestseller.
However, there is some good news from the Borderline festival team for 2020 as the poetry and photography competitions are to go ahead this year.
A spokesperson for the book festival said: “Normally at this time of year we would be finalising our programme, booking travel and accommodation for authors and securing venues for events.
“The ongoing uncertainty with the Covid-19 pandemic has left us unable to do this and, most importantly, we do not want to put our festival goers, authors, committee members and volunteers at risk by running the Festival at a time when social distancing is still likely to be in place.
“While we know this will disappoint many of you, we hope you understand our decision. We are already looking forward to welcoming you back for Borderlines 2021, which we promise will be our best year yet!”
‘However, you’ve not seen the last of Borderlines for 2020 though – we are very pleased to be able to continue running our annual Poetry and Photography competitions.
“This year the theme for both competitions is ‘Hope’, as chosen by the Borderlines committee, whether that’s ‘Hope’ in the face of the challenges of 2020 or something else entirely.
“Borderlines welcomes all interpretations of this broad-ranging theme and looks forward to receiving creative and unique contributions from all participants. Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for more information.”
Good luck to the Borderline team with the competitions and planning for the 2021 Festival in October. You can follow Borderlines Festival on Twitter and Facebook .
