OTwo Co-Editor, Laura Molloy discusses the different skills based workshops at Dublin’s International Literature Festival.
Dublin’s International Literature Festival is set to take place between May 15 and 24. The festival is a programme of the City Arts Office, part of the Culture, Recreation & Economic Services Department of Dublin City Council. The festival is offering a number of skills based events which are fantastic opportunities for students to develop their craft, and to explore new interests. Here are a few events you might consider attending.
Creative Free-Writing - Pim Wangtechawat
Open to both experienced writers and new, this workshop is perfect for those looking to tap into their creativity. The event will include a variety of prompts and guided exercises, allowing participants to engage in free writing. The workshop will foster a judgement-free environment.
Pim Wangtechawat is a Thai-Chinese writer from Bangkok. Her work includes short stories, poems, and articles. Wangtechawat has been published in various magazines and journals such as The Mekong Review, The Nikkei Asian Review, and YesPoetry.
The event will take place at 14:00 on the 24th of May. Student tickets are available for €18.
Journaling for Wellbeing Workshop - Megan Wynne
This event is designed for adults who are interested in journaling. The workshop covers journaling tools to help you clear your mind, explore your feelings and the limiting beliefs that can hold you back. The event will also explore the science behind journaling, and discuss how the practice can help to reduce and manage stress and anxiety.
Megan Wynne is a writer, teacher and speaker. Wynne has represented Ireland on the European Day of Authors in 2024 and was an awardee on the Evolution Programme 2022/23 with the Irish Writers Centre.
The event will take place at 14:30 on the 23rd of May. Student tickets are available for €18.
Designing Characters: Illustration, Identity and Story - Johnathan Sung
This workshop is open to aspiring illustrators, designers interested in storytelling, or anyone who is curious about how characters are created. The workshop will take attendees through the creative process behind designing characters from their earliest sketches. The workshop will reflect back on the design decisions in Sung’s book Moon Moon Can’t Sleep.
Johnathan Sung is a Belfast-based multi-disciplinary graphic designer and illustrator. His work focuses on identity design and illustration. His passion lies about how people see, learn and share ideas about themselves and the world.
The event will take place at 12:00 on the 24th of May. Student tickets are available for €18.
Louder Voices Songwriting Workshop - Luke Clerkin
This workshop is for those interested in writing their own songs. The workshop aims to create a relaxed and supportive setting where participants can learn and explore their curiosity. Luke will share his personal journey through music and mental health, and discuss how creativity can help build emotional resilience. The event will allow participants to co-create a group piece focused on themes of mental health and wellbeing.
Luke Clerkin is a two-time Sports and Cultural Council songwriting competition winner from Tallaght. Luke’s work has been widely featured in the media and he features on Spotify’s Editorial Playlist A Breath of Fresh Eire.
The event will take place at 12:00 on the 23rd of May. Student tickets are available for €12.50.
Unfolding Stories: A Technical Guide to Handmade Books - Roxana Manouchehri
This workshop explores the history of accordion-fold manuscripts and also looks at the technical construction. Learn technical skills such as precision folding, using bone folders and professional-grade paper to create various styles of accordion folds. You will also learn how to give your book a tactile, high-quality finish by constructing durable hardcovers using cardboard, felt, and artificial leather.
Roxana Manouchehri is an Iranian-Irish multidisciplinary artist, writer, translator and art advisor based in Dublin. She is the author of This Is Not a Cookbook, and a founder of Transnational Arts Ireland, a digital platform promoting intercultural artistic exchange between countries.
The event will take place at 11:00 on the 17th of May. Student tickets are available for €22.50.
All of the above workshops are in-person events and tickets should be purchased in advance. Make sure to book your tickets before any of these workshops sell out.