“I wanted to create a space that brings together some of the most exciting writers, poets, and thinkers from around the globe”. (NME report)
Back in March, it was confirmed that as part of Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year, Lipa would be curating the 19th edition of the event – making it the longest-running literature and spoken word festival in the capital.
The series of events will run from Wednesday October 21 to Sunday November 1, and see the pop star host events alongside her Service95 Book Club, which she launched in 2023 and sees her interview authors on a podcast.
Now, she has revealed the line-up for the 2026 event, and it kicks off with her chatting to Zadie Smith as part of an in-depth conversation on Friday October 23 at 3pm. Together they will be talking about Smith’s 2000 debut novel White Teeth, as well as topics including artistic legacy earned at a young age, and today’s political climate.
Visualizza questo post su Instagram
The following day (Saturday October 24), Lipa will be talking to Sudanese-Canadian poet, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker Mustafa at 8pm about his poetry publication NOUR, his literature idols and more.
On Sunday October 25 at 7:30pm, Patti Smith will be the special guest, discussing her memoir Bread Of Angels. That autobiography traced her life from a post-war childhood, her artistic coming-of-age, her marriage to Fred “Sonic” Smith, and her return to performing after his passing. Together, she and Lipa will talk about the healing potential of art and the power of artistic freedom.
All of those will be presented in partnership with the Service95 Book Club, as will appearances from best-selling authors Hernan Diaz (October 21) and Malorie Blackman (October 28).
There will be an Indie Night in association with Service95 on October 23 – celebrating the next generation of writers – and a showcase of new local talent on October 24.
Creative Future Writers’ Day returns to celebrate underrepresented writers, with a live-streamed Awards Ceremony on October 23, and there will be a special multi-artform event called Tice Cin: Safe Spaces on October 29.
“Curating the line up for the London Literature Festival with my Service95 Book Club has been a true joy and I’m so proud of the programme we have created,” Lipa said. “We’ll be joined by icons as well as emerging voices from across the arts the world needs to know.”
“You will recognise some as friends of the book club, and others may be your first introduction, but ultimately, I wanted to create a space that brings together some of the most exciting writers, poets, and thinkers from around the globe,” she added. I’m looking forward to being both in-conversation and taking my seat in the audience at this iconic venue.”
