Residents turned out in huge numbers for the first free event to be delivered as part of a three-year creative partnership between Merton Libraries and Wimbledon BookFest that will see high quality literary events hosted in libraries across the borough.
Award-winning Vietnamese journalist, Nguyen Phan Que Mai, discussed her debut novel and international best-seller, The Mountains Sing, in front of a crowd of almost 200 people in Wimbledon Library’s performance space.
Merton was able to launch the partnership after being awarded Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status and receiving £357,000 of funding over the next three years to invest in high-quality cultural opportunities across the borough.
The additional funding is particularly welcome at a time where many arts organisations in London have seen a reduction or lost their funding as a result of government plans to invest less in cultural services in London and is another example of Merton bucking the trend.
Working with Wimbledon Bookfest, the library funding will ensure that a high-quality cultural offer will be delivered across our libraries, utilising high-quality artists and performers, with a particular emphasis being placed on enriching arts and cultural opportunities in the east of the borough.
Cllr Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage, said “Events like this one are such a positive thing for libraries and the borough.
“The Arts Council grant will allow Merton to offer fantastic cultural opportunities to residents across the borough to a broader and more diverse audience and there’s lots more to come.
“We are currently asking residents for their views on what you would like to see delivered in our libraries and please do complete the questionnaire available in our libraries or online on the libraries website.”