British Library unveils event series inspired by upcoming exhibition Fantasy: Realms of Imagination
For centuries readers have escaped their everyday lives and journeyed into new worlds filled with magic and adventure, incredible mythical creatures, and heroes and villains that speak to our greatest dreams and fears. Now, a major new exhibition, Fantasy: Realms of Imagination, at the British Library will explore the evolution of Fantasy. From ancient folk tales and fairy stories, gothic horror and weird fiction, to live action role-playing games inspired by Fantasy worlds, the exhibition will celebrate the genre and its enduring impact.
Accompanying the exhibition will be a season of in-person and online events featuring Fantasy writers and artists, musicians inspired by the genre and special events marking the anniversaries of iconic Fantasy works. Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins will be discussing the impact of Terry Pratchett’s first Discworld novel The Colour of Magic 40 years after it first hit shelves; Susan Cooper will be in conversation with Natalie Haynes on the 50th anniversary of her best-selling novel The Dark is Rising; and Brian and Wendy Froud will be exploring how they developed the design concept for 1980’s cult classic The Dark Crystal.
In partnership with Irenosen Okojie’s Afrofuturist festival Black to the Future there will be a Late at the Library filled with musical performances and art inspired by the electronic music duo Drexciya and an event featuring Arthur C Clarke award-winning author Tade Thompson.
There will also be talks with bestselling Fantasy writers R.F. Kuang, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Philip Pullman and more.
Events will include:
A Stroke of the Pen: Terry Pratchett’s Lost Stories
Tuesday 10 October, 19:00 – 20:30
Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett biographer Rob Wilkins will be joined by Pratchett ‘super-fans’ Pat and Jan Harkin to mark the 40th anniversary of Pratchett’s first Discworld novel The Colour of Magic and discuss 20 lost tales by Pratchett that have been rediscovered.
The Dark is Rising and Other Stories: Susan Cooper and Natalie Haynes in Conversation
Friday 27 October, 19:00 – 20:30
Join Fantasy writer Susan Cooper in conversation with classicist and author Natalie Haynes on the 50th anniversary of Cooper’s acclaimed novel The Dark is Rising.
Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
Friday 27 October 14:00 – 15:00
Published in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the first Tiffany Aching story in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, writers Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent will be at the Library to discuss their new book, Tiffany Aching’s Guide To Being A Witch, a ‘practical guide to being a witch in Discworld.’
Black To The Future Festival
Friday 3 November
Black To The Future is an Afro-Futurist festival founded and directed by Irenosen Okojie MBE in collaboration with the Royal Society of Literature and the British Library, with a focus on celebrating Black literature and art. As part of the festival there will be a panel event chaired by acclaimed author and broadcaster Irenosen Okojie MBE, featuring Arthur C Clarke award-winning author Tade Thompson and Bafta-nominated narrative designer Chella Ramanan. The Library will also be hosting a night of electronic music, art and Fantasy inspired by the extraordinary vision of Drexciya, whose futuristic sound was entwined with an alternate Black history and mythology. With music from electronic act Dopplereffekt and a special event with Drexciya collaborator-artist Abdul Qadim Haqq and DJ Josey Rebelle.
Tales of the Weird
Thursday 14 November 19:00 – 20:30
Explore the British Library’s acclaimed publishing series of weird and uncanny writing, with Tanya Kirk the curator of the Library’s new Fantasy exhibition and the Tales of the Weird series editor, Jonny Davidson, writer and actor Reece Shearsmith, chaired by author and broadcaster, Matthew Sweet.
Why We Need Fantasy: Neil Gaiman in conversation
Monday 20 November 19:00- 20:30
Join us for a special event where one of the leading Fantasy writers of our time, Neil Gaiman, will be in conversation with poet, critic and writer, Roz Kaveney, to discuss Gaiman’s impact on literature and their involvement as advisors on the British Library’s new Fantasy exhibition.
The Worlds of Terry Pratchett: Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins
Tuesday 21 November 19:00 – 20:30
Join acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett biographer Rob Wilkins for a celebration of Pratchett’s life and work on the 40th anniversary of the publication of the first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic.
An Evening with Philip Pullman
Thursday 30 November 19:00 – 20:30
Bestselling writer Philip Pullman will be in conversation with the Director of the Hay Children’s Festival, Julia Eccleshare, discussing his epic Fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials.
Fantasy Worlds: A Day of Talks
Saturday 9 December
Join us for a day of special events featuring some of the most compelling and fascinating voices in Fantasy writing and art, including in conversation events with Brian and Wendy Froud from The Dark Crystal and R. F. Kuang, writer of best-selling Fantasy series The Poppy War and Babel, or the Necessity of Violence and events exploring Fantasy cartography, the life and legacy of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein and world-building in Fantasy with Fantasy writer Adrian Tchaikovsky, writer and Fantasy advisory board member Aliette de Bodard and Matthew Sangster, guest curator of the British Library’s Fantasy exhibition.
Fantasy Board Games Day
Saturday 9 December 10:00 – 16:30
Come and explore the wonderful world of Fantasy games, from tabletop, miniatures, board, and card games. This event is brought to you by the team behind the UK Games Expo and supported by Wayland Games.
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination runs at the British Library from 27 October 2023 – 25 February 2024. The exhibition was made possible with support from Wayland Games and The Unwin Charitable Trust, with thanks to The American Trust for the British Library and The B.H. Breslauer Fund of the American Trust for the British Library.
