Get ready to meet fire-breathing dragons in the city, see the city’s Snap dragon out and about with the Whifflers, discover the hidden Dragon’s Spell and hear tales of dragons, beasts and knights from times of old, when the Norwich Dragon Festival returns 10-23 February 2014.

The Norwich Dragon Festival 2014: Warming Up Winter brochure is out now, and features over 70 dragon-related activities and events over two weeks, including half-term. Dragon-seekers of all ages will enjoy dragon performances, quests and tours, films, competitions, arts and craft activities, puppet shows, dragon trails, storytelling, talks, exhibitions and displays.

Organised by Norwich’s Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART), with support from the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID), The Forum, and Norwich Town Close Estate Charity, the festival includes a wide range of events themed around dragons, to promote heritage to a broad audience during the post-Christmas depths of winter.

Some of the many highlights include The Dragon’s Spell – a quest throughout the city to track down dragons and uncover the secret spell (in conjunction with Writers’ Centre Norwich); Dragon Heart Beats – an incredible smoke-breathing, fire-throwing dragon performance outside The Forum; Meet The Dragon at intu Chapelfield – tame the dragon, rescue Sir Aurelious and win the Golden Breastplates to enter the Dragon’s Lair!; Dotty The Dragon – an enchanting fairy-tale adventure about a baby fire dragon, at Norwich Playhouse, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight – an evening of stories and music with the popular Yarnsmith of Norwich. As well as plenty of hands-on crafts and activities for children, there’s also plenty of events for adults, including a talks programme with the Centre for East Anglian Studies looking at the dragon throughout history. A late addition to this programme is Dragons and other monsters in the medieval past – a talk by Dr. Hugh Doherty of the University of East Anglia, exploring dragons between 600 and 1300, and the use of dragons – and other beasts – as heraldic symbols on standards, arms, and seals.

Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of HEART said: “HEART sees its third Dragon Festival as an engaging device to make the city’s rich history fun and accessible for the widest possible audience. Not only will it provide the opportunity for people to have a great time during the grey, post-Christmas period but it will hopefully have a positive effect on the local economy – the last festival generated a spend of £450,000 over just a fortnight.”

Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) said: “Norwich BID are proud to support the Norwich Dragon Festival and we are keen to see this key city centre event add to the cultural vibrancy of the city during February half-term.  Now in its 3rd year the festival will animate the city and capture the imagination of the general public through an exciting 2 week programme of events which highlight the architecture and rich history of the city of which the dragons heavily feature.”

For more information, pick up the Norwich Dragon Festival brochure from venues and Tourist Information Centres across Norwich and Norfolk, or download the brochure and see all event listings, including new additions, at www.heritagecity.org/dragonfestival.

You can also follow announcements about the festival on Twitter at @NorwichHEART and #NorwichDragonFestival, or on Facebook – Norwich HEART or Norwich Dragon Festival.

 

ARS – Asbestos Risk Surveys, Norfolk 01953 604411