Poet Laureate and Festival favourite Simon Armitage returns to Manchester Literature Festival to read from his two new collections, Dwell and New Cemetery.

In Dwell, inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, Armitage brings to life the fragile homes of animals and insects, blurring the lines between human and creature, nature and artifice. Rich with riddle, folklore and environmental insight, the poems are a vibrant celebration of life’s ingenuity, beautifully complemented by illustrations from Beth Munro.

New Cemetery, written during lockdown walks near his West Yorkshire home, is a lyrical and often wry reflection on mortality, loss and landscape, beginning with the transformation of a local beauty spot into a graveyard and reflecting the changing world.

Born in West Yorkshire, Simon is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds, a celebrated translator, novelist, playwright, and recipient of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. His collections include Seeing Stars, The Unaccompanied and Magnetic Field.

Don’t miss this chance to hear one of Britain’s most beloved poets live.

Wheelchair Users and those with other access needs requiring a free Essential Carer ticket should contact the Quaytickets Box Office on 0161 876 2015 to purchase tickets.