Moorforge Writing Competition winners young and old will have their works performed and streamed live during free event in the Viking Longhouse
Moorforge Viking Settlement will hold two free live performances showcasing some of the up-and-coming literary talent unearthed during the inaugural Viking-themed Moorforge Writing Competition. The six winning poems, songs and stories from the under-16 categories and the six from the over-16 categories will be performed and streamed live during two events at Moorforge’s Viking Longhouse in the afternoon and evening of Sunday 17th November. The event for the winners of the over-16 category is open to the public – free tickets must be reserved online.
Peter Fox from sponsor Elterwater Press – writer of the Viking-themed historical adventure The Shadow of Fenrir – will hold an informative Q&A session about publishing for aspiring writers and poets, while Ian Cumptsey, celebrated translator of Scandinavian folk ballads and sagas and one of the competition judges, will be attending to answer questions and sign copies of his own books.
The inaugural Moorforge Writing Competition was organised in collaboration with The Beacon Museum and supported by Cumbria-based publisher Elterwater Press. Entrants wrote either a 600-word monologue or story, a 400-word poem or a 300-word song – with all works inspired by The Beacon Museum’s video presentation from their summer feature exhibition “Discover the Vikings” which was created by Jorvik Viking Centre, York.
Steve Wharton from Moorforge Viking Settlement said: “We had amazing entries come in from the north of Scotland, the south of England and lots of places in between. The winning entries in all age categories have a combination of being entertaining, well-researched with Cumbrian links and showing Viking life in a refreshingly way.”
Mooforge Viking Settlement has a calendar of regular events ranging from knife-making and blacksmithing to medieval cooking workshops, musical sessions and education days – and visitors to the performances will have a chance to meet the Moorforge team and find out about upcoming events including Winter Solstice celebrations.
The six winning writers from the 16+ age categories will have their work performed and streamed live from the longhouse. Sunday, 17 November 2019 from 16:00-19:00. Tickets are free and a limited number are available which must be reserved at www.moorforge.co.uk/events
The six winning writers from the under 8, 8-11 and 12-15 age categories will have their work performed and streamed live from the longhouse at a closed event for family and friends on Sunday, 17 November 2019.
