The Living Library – Being Human Festival 2025

Plant a seed – grow a meadow. Plant new coral – heal a reef. Plant a poem – whole worlds take root.

Step inside a library like no other. Here, books are made from woodland debris and kelp leather; words are printed with soils and plant inks; and poems are shaped by the voices of deer, bats, and our changing seasons.

The Living Library at the Landmark Arts Centre is a day-long festival of multisensory creativity inspired by the natural world. Wander through an ecosystem of exhibited poetry curated by experts from Royal Holloway, University of London. Explore new approaches to bookmaking and nature writing through hands-on demonstrations, performances, and workshops. Become part of our living ecosystem by adding your own poems to a unique public display.

Explore, create, and share at The Living Library, an unmissable celebration of nature and imagination!

Activities will run on a drop-in basis. Follow the booking link to receive updates, including the schedule of demonstrations and performances. Families are welcome, and no previous experience of writing or poetry is required.

This event is part of the Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 6 – 15 November 2025. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org.