Step into a Galaxy of Culture and Curious Adventures at CALFE 2024!

The Children & Authors’ Literary Fanfare Events (CALFE) Festival is back with an exciting line-up of multicultural, literary-inspired activities celebrating Black History Month 2024. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire creativity and cultural curiosity in children aged 4-11.

Saturday 26th October 2024, 10.00am – 4.00pm

Venue: Chelmsford Museum, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Sreet, Chelmsford CM2 9AQ

Tickets: Free, booking essential

Register: at eventbrite.co.uk

CALFE Festival promotes representation in literature and creative arts, designed to foster a love of reading and storytelling in young audiences. The festival highlights diverse voices and cultural experiences, providing an enriching platform for families to connect and learn. Children, parents, families, and educators are invited to embark on a cultural journey and discover new worlds through stories and art.

Children will meet and interact with talented authors and storytellers from diverse backgrounds including Jamaican, Nigerian, Black British, English, Sierra Leonean, Ghanaian, Zimbabwean, and Irish heritage.

This year’s festival is made possible through funding from Arts Council England and partnerships with Chelmsford Museum, and is supported by Essex Cultural Diversity Project (ECDP) as part of the Stand Up For Diversity series, which was initiated by Essex Book Festival and Essex Cultural Diversity Project to bring together those who want to champion diversity in the arts and in our communities.

Featured authors, workshops and activities:

Shane Ibbs‘ Storytelling workshop
Carrol May Nelson’s, I Spy the Alphabet Game
S.P. K-Mushambi’s Mysterious Melodies Workshop
Sade Fadipe’s Snowy Joy Workshop
Usifu Jalloh‘s Drumming & Storytelling
Patti Sloley’s Utensils & Spicy Workshop (Victorian Kitchen, booking required onsite)
Tia Coker’s African Fashion Workshop (in the Victorian Wardrobe)
TriggerBliss’ Nature Writing (in the JA Baker Exhibition)
Datonye Abrah-Adjei‘s Mancala & Flower Craft Workshops (Pertwee Suite)

Hosts and MCs:

Preen Chakadonha, Founder of B.A.B.E.
Sangita Mitra, CEO of NGDA
Maxine Clarke

Other CALFE 2024 Event Dates:

Friday, 4 October (Online): 17:00-20:30 BST
Saturday, 19 October: 10:30-16:00 at Manchester Museum
Friday, 1 November: 11:00-15:00 at Colchester Red Lion Books and Signals Media