Writing on the Wall (WoW) is Liverpool’s longest-running writing and literature festival, as well as one of the longest-running literary festivals in the UK. Founded on principles of social justice and equality, WoW champions diverse voices through award-winning projects, publications, and its flagship festival, WoWFEST and Black History Month.
Last October, WoW continued our year-round commitment to celebrating diverse voices through our contribution to the city-wide Black History Month programme.
Throughout Black History Month, we invited audiences to reflect, organise and speak out as we addressed local, national and global issues — from the rise of populist ideologies to calls for justice in Palestine. We used our platform to remember and reaffirm that creativity, solidarity and collective action remain powerful tools in the face of hate, division and fear.
Each May, WoWFEST brings world-class authors, activists, and artists together with local talent, creating unique opportunities for emerging voices to shine alongside international names.
WoWFEST26 marks the beginning of a bold new chapter as we launch New World Disorder, a programme responding directly to the urgent political, cultural and technological shifts shaping our times. Taking place across venues in the Liverpool City Region, live and online, the festival will once again bring together a dynamic line-up of local, national and international writers, artists, journalists and thinkers. As ever, WoWFEST remains committed to radical, inclusive and community-rooted programming — creating space for urgent debate, creative resistance and the collective imagining of fairer futures.