Essex Book Festival invites University of Essex Students For Free!

Join us June 1st for a day of talks, performances, debates, walks and workshops to mark the 25th Edition of Essex Book Festival and the 60th Anniversary of University of Essex.

Essex Book Festival would like to gift you the students of Essex University free tickets to a selection of our headline events, as a thank you for letting us take over your campus!

Please find below information about the selected events and how to claim your free ticket to each. Tickets are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so be quick to book your place!

We look forward to celebrating our 2024 Festival launch day with you all.


Sarah Perry – Enlightenment : Essex Business School

Sarah Perry and book cover for Enlightenment

June 1st, 4.30pm

University of Essex Chancellor and best-selling author of the The Essex Serpent, Sarah Perry will be launching this year’s festival. Talking to our Essex Book Festival Chair, Peter Donaldson, about her highly anticipated new novel, Enlightenment.

Click here to book your free place.

Event Info: essexbookfestival.org.uk/events/sarah-perry


Women Life Freedom : Lakeside Theatre

Woman Life freedom

June 1st, 1 – 3pm,

Saqi Books presents Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran. This highly original and savagely topical event will include a live art and sound art performance by Tasalla Tabasom and Fari Bradley, an art-style documentary video, a presentation from artist Roshi Rouzbehani, a panel discussion hosted by Malu Halasa and an exhibition of artwork.

Click here or scan the QR code to book your free place.

Event Info: essexbookfestival.org.uk/events/woman-life-freedom


Listen up : Colchester Samaritans

Hafsa Zayyan and Olumide Popoola

June 8th

Join writer, speaker and performer, Olumide Popoola as she discusses her novel Like Water Like Sea (4-5pm).
Then we will be joined by Hafsa Zayyan (5.30-6.30pm), a contributing author to Will You Read This, Please? for an open and honest conversation about mental health and the power of giving a platform to unheard voices.

You are also welcome to join us for The Human Library earlier in the day. Just like in a real library, a visitor can borrow a book from a range of titles. The difference is that books are people, and reading is a conversation.

We are delighted to be partnering with Colchester Samaritans, Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Human Library for this very special day of events.

Click here to book your free place.

Event Info: essexbookfestival.org/listen-up