Temporary author ‘shrines’ to be created during Margate Bookie pilgrimage

Margate Bookie will include a 'shrine' walk

‘Shrines’ will be created for a group of authors and their work during next month’s Margate Bookie literary festival.

Isle artist Elspeth (Billie) Penfold and the group Thread and Word will lead a creative walk around Margate.

Drawing inspiration from Dee Heddon’s walking libraries and the book Home Altars of New Mexico by Dana Salvo, special shrines will be assembled at locations on the route. These will celebrate the work of four writers who are appearing at the Bookie – Jess Kidd, Elise Valmorbida, PJ Whiteley and Owen Lowery.

The shrines are known as ofrendas, the Spanish word for offering, and will incorporate materials from artists and the authors themselves. The monuments are temporary and will be assembled, photographed and taken down as part of the walk.

Elspeth said: “The walk is taking the form of a pilgrimage. It will be a journey through poetry, books and the passion these provoke.”

Elspeth has collaborated with filmmaker Anna Bowman to create a short movie called Ofrendas. It documents the route and explains how it was selected, and details the items supplied by the four authors including notes, research, items of clothing and music they listened to while working.

On September 29 the film will be shown several times between 10:30am and 11:15am in the Foyle Room at Turner Contemporary. The walk will then get underway at 11:30am.

The walk will last for approximately 90 minutes. Participation is free, but places must be booked in advance as there is a limit on numbers.

Click here to book

Events for the Margate Bookie festival take place at Turner Contemporary and venues in Margate’s Old Town between September 28-30.

Check out the programme and get your tickets at www.margatebookie.com