2025 Festival
FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER
The second night of Wimbledon BookFest 2026 celebrated oral storytelling. In collaboration with the Dublin-founded Seanchoíche, eight participants told the Wimbledon BookFest audience their stories based around the the night’s theme of Connection. Headed by Seanchoíche founder Ciaran Gaffney, the night’s Seanchaíthe (storytellers) made the crowd laugh, feel, and most importantly, connect.THURSDAY 15TH OCTOBER
Wimbledon BookFest 2026 has gotten off to an amazing start! Our opening night kicked off with conversations about heritage and symbolism from visual artists Mary Owusu-Hirsch & Mahin Hussain, myth and storytelling from Ben Okri, and mother-daughter relationships and publishing with Marcia Hutchinson & Orlaine McDonald.-
Mary Owusu-Hirsch and Mahin Hussain on stage
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Filmmaker Rachel Wang chairing the event
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Mary Owusu-Hirsch, Mahin Hussain & Rachel Wang discussing Mary's artwork
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Mary Owusu-Hirsch's daughter asking a question
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Rosemary Clunie discussing her and Ben Okri's new book, 'The True Artist Breaks out of Jail'
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Ben Okri on stage
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The audience applauding Ben Okri and Joe Haddow
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Ben Okri taking a selfie with a guest at his book signing
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Marcia Hutchinson & Orlaine McDonald on stage
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A rapt audience at the event
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Marcia Hutchinson signing a book after the event
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Marcia Hutchinson, Orlaine Mcdonald and Kuba-Shand Baptiste in conversation
School Events at New Wimbledon Theatre
On the 24th and 25th of September, Wimbledon BookFest hosted Hugh Bonneville, Abiola Bello, Ian Kinane, Aimée de Jongh, Joel Wilson, Judy Golding, Onjali Q Raúf, Mic Lord and over 1,500 students at three spectacular events for schools!-
HUGH BONNEVILLE WITH RORY SPARKES AND DONNA THE ELEPHANT ON STAGE
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ONJALI Q RAúF WITH SNOWY ONSTAGE
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MIC LORD ENTERTAINING THE CROWD
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Onjali Q Raúf signing students' free books after the event
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A SMILING AUDIENCE AT OUR ONJALI Q RAúF EVENT
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OUR PANEL DISCUSSING GRAPHIC NOVELIST, AIMéE DE JONGH'S ILLUSTRATIONS
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STUDENTS WITH 'LORD OF THE FLIES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL', OUR MERTON BIG READ FOR SCHOOLS
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A STUDENT ASKING THE PANEL A QUESTION AT THE LORD OF THE FLIES EVENT
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JUDY GOLDING DISCUSSING HER FATHER'S NOVEL, LORD OF THE FLIES
2026 Merton Big Read Event
On the 9th of September we welcomed Elif Shafak back to Wimbledon BookFest to discuss ‘The Island of Missing Trees’, our Merton Big Read this year!-
Elif Shafak discussing 'The Island of Missing Trees'
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The audience captivated by Elif Shafak and Joe Haddow
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Elif Shafak signing books in Wimbledon Library after the event
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Elif Shafak and Joe Haddow in conversation on stage
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Elif Shafak posing with an audience member at the book signing
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BookFest bunting in Wimbledon Library
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Elif Shafak and Joe Haddow in the BookFest greenroom
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Elif Shafak with audience members at the book signing
Gallery Archive
