Fantasy exhibition and events

Fantasy exhibition and events

From 27 October, 6 Worcestershire libraries are hosting free events exploring the genre of fantasy.

Local libraries will be holding talks and screenings from October through to March next year which will celebrate some of the finest fantasy writers and creators.

Inspired by Fantasy: Realms of Imagination at the British Library, the exhibition explores how fantasy is flourishing today across a range of different media. It looks back at the origins of the genre.

Let our exhibition cast its spell as we explore:

  • the beautiful and sometimes monstrous makings of fantasy
  • epic visions full of details
  • some of the finest fantasy creators
  • how their imagined lands, languages and creatures came into being
  • the traditions of a genre that has created some of the most passionate and enduring fandoms

Exhibitions touring dates:

27 October to 14 November - Evesham Library

15 November to 4 December - Malvern Library

5 December to 22 December - Redditch Library

27 December to 12 January - Bromsgrove Library 

15 January to 29 January - Kidderminster Library

30 January to 25 February - The Hive

Live screenings

To transport you into the world of Fantasy, we have a variety of events live screened from the British Library. The talks are interactive and you can ask questions or make comments to the panellists or speakers. We will facilitate that for you. 

Saturday 9 December 11:00am to 6:15pm at Bewdley, Bromsgrove, The Hive, Kidderminster, Redditch, Stourport and Tenbury libraries

A day of fantasy talks

A packed day of talks and conversations featuring some of the most compelling and fascinating voices in Fantasy writing and art.

More information on fantasy talks

Screened events

Join us to watch this fantastic recorded events – from Terry Prattchett’s lost stories to a festival of witches to Neil Gaiman in conversation.

Saturday 25 November midday at Redditch Library 

Festival of the Accused

Delve into the world of witchcraft with three events from the British Library’s Festival of the Accused.

Saturday 9 December 11:00am at Redditch Library 

Neil Gaiman in Conversation 

Get inside the fantastical mind of Neil Gaiman one of the leading Fantasy writers of our time

Saturday 9 December 1:00pm at Redditch Library 

Writing Fantasy with Adrian Tchaikovsky 

Fairies Fantasy and Sci-Fi: The UK’s best-loved writers on why and how they write fantastical fiction.

Saturday 16 December 3:00pm at Redditch Library 

Neil Gaiman and Rob Wilkins 

A celebration of the life and work of Sir Terry Pratchett with his close friends - biographer Rob Wilkins and collaborator Neil Gaiman.
 

Talks and workshops

Saturday 9 December 11:00am to 5:00pm at Redditch Library

Step into a world of enchantment at the Redditch Library Fantasy Celebration! Join us for a day of magic where the pages of your favourite books come alive. Delve into live-streamed author talks and writing workshops with literary legends Neil Gaiman, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and more. There will be epic activities for children and adults alike, as well as a touring gallery display all about the fantasy genre. Get your dice rolling in Dungeons and Dragons or wage epic battles in Warhammer 40,000. Come as your favourite character for our cosplay competition. It’s all absolutely free. Everyone is welcome. Talks begin at 11:00am, but activities run all day. No need to book.

Tuesday 30 January 7:00pm at The Hive

Weeping Bank Library Tales - ghost stories.

Monday 5 February at The Hive

Stranger Things lecture presentation - Katy Wareham Morris.

Wednesday 14 February 7:00pm at The Hive

The Magic and Science of Love - Prof Darren Oldridge and Dr Kate Ashbrook.

Saturday 24 February 10:00am to 4:00pm at The Hive

Writers Day.

Tuesday 5 March 7:00pm at The Hive

How does our brain produce imagination? - Dr Mathieu Di Miceli.

Tuesday 19 March at The Hive

Gaming and Fandom talk.

Children’s fantasy activities will also be available, including colouring and themed story times. Check with your local library for more details.

Fantasy is a rich genre filled with magical worlds, from folk tales, fairy stories, horror, sci-fi and live-action role-playing games. People can escape their everyday lives and journey into new worlds filled with magic and adventure with mythical creatures and heroes and villains.

Living Knowledge Network

The events in this exhibition are brought to you in partnership with The British Library and part of The Living Knowledge Network. All inspired by their exhibition ‘Fantasy: Realms of Imagination’. The Living Knowledge Network is a UK-wide partnership of national and public libraries which aims to share ideas and spark connections between their collections and people. The network was created by the British Library to explore new ways for libraries across the country to work as one and includes 30 public libraries, the British Library, the National Library of Scotland and the National Library of Wales.

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