UK’s largest collaborative reading campaign starts in Bristol

Date posted: 30 January 09

PRESS RELEASE

Bristol joins Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hampshire, Shropshire, City of Westminster and most of South West England today for the launch of the largest collaborative reading campaign ever held in the UK.

The Lost World Read 2009 is Bristol’s seventh Great Reading Adventure. The chosen book is the classic adventure story The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle, which will be available across the city in a full-text and quick-read version, along with an illustrated readers’ guide.

The campaign not only celebrates Conan Doyle’s 150th birthday this year but also forms part of Darwin 200, commemorating Charles Darwin’s bicentenary. A graphic-style biography of Darwin by Eugene Byrne and Simon Gurr, who created The Bristol Story used in last year’s Great Reading Adventure, is also included among the thousands of books being given away.

From Saturday 31 January, books will be available to collect from all branches of Bristol Libraries, Blackwell on Park Street, Arnolfini on the Harbourside, Waterstone’s in The Galleries and a number of visitor attractions, including ss Great Britain and the City Museum and Art Gallery. The books are also being distributed through hospitals, City of Bristol College, the universities, scouting and guiding packs, and local employers, including Rolls-Royce.

The Bristol launch event took place at Bristol Zoo Gardens this morning with a photo-call involving the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, pupils from New Oak Primary School and partners in the project.

Andrew Kelly, director of Bristol Cultural Development Partnership and the Great Reading Adventure, who has been coordinating the project nationally said:

“We are delighted to be able to celebrate three landmark anniversaries – the births of Darwin and Conan Doyle, and the publication of On the Origin of Species – with the mass-read of The Lost World, which will bring together thousands of participants of all ages. This is a great way for people to reacquaint themselves – or encounter for the first time – this classic adventure story and also to learn about literature, natural history, dinosaurs and the continuing impact of Darwin’s work.”

He continued:

“The four publications specially produced for the project, along with the extensive website and wide range of activities taking place will ensure this is an enjoyable and informative experience. We are also pleased to be working with so many different partners, old and new, from across the country.”

The Lost World Read 2009 will run throughout February and March 2009 with a public programme of events being held across the UK that includes talks, exhibitions, workshops, walking tours, plays, films, reading group discussions and performances covering The Lost World, Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin, dinosaurs and natural history.

The extensive website at www.lostworldread.com goes live today and provides details of the activities taking place as well as background information on Conan Doyle, Darwin and dinosaurs and downloads of printed and audio material.

Links

Click here to visit the Lost World Read website.

Click here to read the ‘Ideas’ article: ‘Why books are important’.

Click here to see an interview with Eugene Byrne and Simon Gurr, author and illustrator of Darwin: A Graphic Biography, the book specially commissioned for this year’s Great Reading Adventure.