Back in March, as part of the Essex 2020 celebrations, Essex Book Festival announced it’s Young Essex Manifesto For Essex. Events exploring climate change and sustainability took place during the festival before lockdown with further activities taking place in the coming the year, including an exhibition in Chelmsford this September. All this activity will culminate in a showcase as part of the British Science Festival at Anglia Ruskin University in September 2021.
Keep reading to find out what you can do to have your say about how you want the future to look and catch up with the story so far.
What is the Manifesto?
Put simply, the Manifesto For Essex is a multi-form creative platform for young people living in Essex and beyond to express their thoughts and ideas about tackling Climate Change.
It is a combination of stories, essays, podcasts, short films and a special Manifesto For Essex Zine made by Southend based artist Lu Williams. A Manifesto For Essex Exhibition will take place as part of Chelmsford Heritage Open Days (11-20th September). A giant snake of bunting and Earth Poems (made by you!) will be on display in various venues around the city.
What can I do to get involved NOW?
Call Out for Earth Poems
As part of our special Manifesto For Essex Exhibition we are inviting young people and the ‘young at heart’ to contribute a special Earth Poem to be displayed in one of our participating venues.
All you need to do is to write your Earth Poem, decorate it (optional), and then send it either as a PDF or jpeg to hello@essexbookfestival.org.uk or post it to Katie Deverell, Culture Team, Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE. We’ll be waiting!
Get Bunting!
Following a number of hugely successful bunting-making workshops in venues across Essex as part of the Book Festival, we are now urging everyone to join in the fun at home. Express your thoughts and feelings about Climate Change and be part of a conversation that could stretch from Chelmsford to China!
Find out more about how you can help to create our snake of bunting.
What’s already happened?
Tree-Mend-Us Family Day took place in early March as part of the Book Festival. It was led by Chelmsford Ideas Hub and celebrated the importance of trees via storytelling, a community tree tapestry, films, workshops, and tree identification walks.
Fashion/Remade led by Focal Point Gallery took place online in July. Watch the workshops and Q&A on our resources page.
Escaping Climate Change - A day of discussions and workshops led by Essex University students as part of the Book Festival in March.
