FOR the first time in the event’s history, poetry readings, workshops and a resident poet will add a literary dimension to the International Festival of Glass.

Short stories written on glass and poetry performances are all part of the entertainment and exhibition’s at this year’s festival, which kicks off tomorrow (May 28).

Poet Emma Purshouse will be collecting lines from the public to create a festival poem, which will be performed before the fun auction at 3.30pm on Sunday, May 31, at the Ruskin Glass Centre.

Emma will also attend the Community Breath lecture and the 'I was dreaming of spirit animals' lecture by Cappy Thompson to create poetry based upon the talks, which she will perform at various times during the festival.

Other literary events include rhyming poetry workshops, haiku workshops and rhyme or slogan printing.

A gallery of poetry postcards will compliment the wall of glass postcards, created by the Contemporary Glass Society, where visitors can contribute their own writings on a wall of paper postcards.

Elisabeth Johnson, festival coordinator, said: “This is the first time in the festival’s history that we have added a literary element which I hope will add another exciting dimension.

“We will have some flash fiction, short stories and poetry written on glass, an emergency poet and a resident festival poet who will run workshops and create a festival poem.

“The students from Glasshouse College have worked with the festival poet and college staff to create their own literary contributions that will also be displayed around the site during the festival.”

In addition, visitors can take a tour around the landscape of Hagley Hall, including the remains of forest glass furnaces from the 16th century, in the company of head of landscape Joe Hawkins and listen to poetry inspired by its 'historic beauty'.

For more information about the workshops as well as all the events, activities and exhibitions taking place throughout the festival, visit www.ifg.org.uk