At its heart, Kendal Mountain Book Festival celebrates and explores our relationships with nature, landscape, people and place sharing ideas, stories, and voices from around the world. Through literature and the arts the Festival provides an opportunity to pause and explore the living world around us.
Our Book Festival Director, Paul Scully says:“Our Festival is a place where we can reflect on our relationships with nature, landscape, society and to each other. A space where people are challenged to be receptive to different ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. We hope you are able to join us, no matter who you are, in this wonderful community of ideas, words and wanderings.”
This years theme is Joy and with over 30 events of discussions, talks and performances we hope to immerse our audiences in adventure, overflowing with uplifting optimism and full wonder for the world.
Journey with us as we take you from the streets of Kabul to the mighty river Tigris; from the breath and cinders of Volcanoes to the flat lands of England; and from a medieval pilgrim path in Norway to the luminous beauty of Moss on the wetlands of Somerset. Look forward to seeing you there!
Let us also take this opportunity to thank our patron, Robert Macfarlane for his unwavering support.
A massive thanks to our presenting partner Costwold Outdoor and to our support partners Gestalten, Mountain Equipment, Timber Festival, the University of Cumbria, Abbot Hall/ Lakeland Arts and the Armitt Museum.