BOOKER prize-winning writer, Ben Okri will headline an international line up of guests at the 2018 Abergavenny Arts Festival, while organisers are calling for everyone young and old to add their sounds to a Grand Opening Parade

The Festival, which takes place between Friday, June 29 and Sunday, July 1, will see local amateur and professional artists rubbing shoulders with guests from around the world throughout a weekend that aims to enhance a spirit of creativity in the town.

The event will include painting, dance, drawing, sculpture, theatre, photography, performance, film, poetry, music and comedy as well as street performances and interactive artistic experiences. There will also be displays of the results of several competitions.

Organisers state that as well as exhibitions and performances, there will be plenty of opportunities to ‘Give it a go’ with workshops and creative craft sessions.

The weekend will be launched with a Grand Parade to include many clubs and organisations, including the Gurkha Regiment and a Japanese marching band, starting at 7pm at the Baker Street Cinema and marching through Town to the Castle Grounds for a fire ball display.

The public, particularly young people, are invited to bring anything they can beat a rhythm on and join the parade to add to the carnival atmosphere of the event.

Headliner, Ben Okri will be on hand to meet festival-goers at an exhibition of original art works at Abergavenny Museum. which illustrate his latest work, The Magic Lamp, a collaboration with the painter, Rosemary Clunie, whose artistic collaboration with Okri dates back over 20 years.

Okri’s previous works include, The Famished Road, - which won the Booker Prize in 1991, The Age of Magic, Dangerous Love, In Arcadia and Astonishing the Gods.

The exhibition also includes a selection of some of Rosemary Clunie’s other work, including paintings and prints, textiles, ceramics, stained glass and pen and ink drawings.

Ben Okri will be talking about The Magic Lamp on Saturday, June 30. Ben Okri and Rosemary Clunie will also be at the Museum exhibition that day, from 4.30pm – 6pm, to sign books and do some readings.

Anyone interested in supporting the Festival can contact [email protected] with ‘Friends, Donors and Sponsors’ in the subject line or visit the website at www.abergavennyartsfestival.com.