Pages, as well as heads, are turning in Norwich as book benches have been installed at locations across the city.
This summer is the beginning of a new chapter in Norwich, the City of Stories, with a project celebrating its UNESCO status as a City of Literature.
The city centre has been enhanced by the introduction of a new trail of permanent book benches, made using stone, metal or wood, in eight locations.
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It has been made possible by the EXPERIENCE Project, which includes Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council and Norwich Business Improvement District (BID), in collaboration with The National Centre for Writing.
Four of the eight benches have been installed so far, which are at Upper St Giles Street, Rampant Horse Street, St Martin-at-Palace-Plain and Riverside.
The other four will be ready soon and will be at St George’s Street, Rouen Road, Gentleman’s Walk and All Saint’s Green.
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Each is an opportunity to see, feel and experience the legacy of the county’s literary heritage.
References to authors and book titles with connections to Norwich or Norfolk include Anna Sewell, Philip Pullman and Stephen Fry.
Whether visitors or locals want to sit and read a book or start a conversation, each bench is an attraction and can be enjoyed on a single occasion or as part of the Book Bench Walking Trail.
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All have been designed to celebrate the importance of the written word and the power of storytelling.
Chris Gribble, CEO of the National Centre for Writing, said: “Norwich became England’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2012 in recognition of our rich history of words and writing being used to change the world.
"These wonderful book benches highlight some of the books and names attached to our City of Stories."
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