With participants such as legendary illustrator Quentin Blake (its patron), ex-Pogues musician David Coulter and cult author and film director (Gainbourg) Joann Sfar, the 15th South Ken Kids Festival, devoted to children’s literature and organised by the French Institute in London, should appeal to adults as much as to their offspring. From Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 November 2012, it will be staging more than 30 public events including drawing duos, workshops, talks, films, theatre performances, live music and book signings. Culture and fun for the little ones: as good as it gets to keep them -and their parents- entertained…
To celebrate its 15th anniversary as well as its patron Quentin Blake’s 80th birthday, the South Ken Kids Festival will be welcoming a huge array of talents from both sides of the Channel. Apart from the legendary illustrator of the Roald Dahl books himself, participants will include Axel Scheffler, the award-wining illustrator of The Gruffalo, Joann Sfar, the creator of Little Vampire and The Rabbi’s Cat, considered as one of the most important artists of the new wave of Franco-Belgian comics (as well as director of the recent Gainsbourg film), and Tony Ross, famous for his strong-minded characters such as Horrid Henry or The Little Princess.
Chic-Londres’ favourites amongst the events: the drawing duos programmed on stage between the illustrators (Quentin Blake and Joann Sfar amongst them), with their improvisations screened live on the big screen of the Ciné Lumière. The other highlight will be provided by David Coulter, the famous multi-instrumentalist artist and former member of The Pogues, who collaborated on albums with the like of Marianne Faithfull, Tom Waits and Damon Albarn. A panel of the artists participating to the program will be invited to share the stage with him and draw along to his music, which should be interesting… And of course, all the books by participating artists will be on sale during the Festival and youngsters will have the opportunity to meet their favourite authors and illustrators, who’ll be only too happy to sign their books. Lucky kids!
www.southkenkidsfestival.co.uk
Photos: Drawing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Quentin Blake (main), The Gruffalo, Little Vampire and Horrid Henry (below), Quentin Blake and his fans at The French Institute (bottom)
