SO: To Speak 2015- Southampton’s first ever festival of words is officially launched in the city today.

For the next ten days poetry, theatre and music will be taking over Southampton at venues across the city.

Events and speakers include renowned local authors Philip Hoare, Ali Sparkes, MJ Arledge, and Claire Fuller – and there is still plenty of time to get your tickets and make sure you don’t miss out.

The festival promises spoken word performances and music at the Dancing Man, ghost stories and ‘Tales of Southampton’, poetry at the Solent Sky Museum, and ‘Words in the City’ an afternoon of free and ticketed events on Sunday October 25, with poets, songwriters, storytellers and performers appearing at venues throughout the city centre, including the Red Funnel terminal.

The festival will culminate with performances of Shakespeare in West Quay’s multi-storey car park, and the first Southampton Persian Festival.

To add to this dynamic programme, local arts organisation, element arts, will be producing ‘Transported’, a series of art installations and performances in containers in Guildhall Square, working in collaboration with Williams Shipping. The installation will be run throughout the festival.

Charlie Hislop, of Southampton Festivals and one of the founders of SO: To Speak, said: “It is fantastic to finally welcome SO: To Speak into Southampton. It is strongly rooted in our stories, our history, and our creative talent. We have a great programme on offer over the next ten days, from CSI Southampton to Spitfires to illustration workshops, that there is something for everyone. Being half term means there is also great opportunity for families to get involved and make the most of the festival. We hope that the events inspire those who attend and also show what a vibrant and creative city Southampton really is.”

Jani Frank, from the Arthouse and contributor to SO: To Speak, added: “Over the last few months so many people have come together to make this festival a reality – it’s brilliant to now show the city what we have been working on and I hope everyone enjoys the programme we have put together. There is so much creative talent on the south coast and this festival aims to showcase Southampton’s dynamic and growing cultural identity.”

For further information please visit www.sotospeakfestival.org or to purchase tickets call the Mayflower Box Office on 02380 711811.