Primary school children across the UK are being invited to create their own home-made books through a new competition to launch Shakespeare Week 2023.

Shakespeare Week 2023, organised and delivered by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, is the annual national celebration of Shakespeare which is free to access for all primary school aged children. It runs from 20 – 26 March this year and will focus on the core theme of creativity, using the 400thanniversary of the publication of The First Folio, (the book that brought all of Shakespeare’s works into a single volume for the first time) as the inspiration for exploring Shakespeare’s creativity and his talent with wordplay.

The competition, entitled Write ‘Till Your Ink Be Dry, isn’t just for budding playwrights, as children can create any kind of book they wish – from plays to poetry, Tudor joke books to Shakespeare Showstopper baking books – anything goes and the judges will be looking for creativity, imagination and enthusiasm!

The lucky winners from each of the two categories will have their entries included in an online exhibition, as well as a bundle of Shakespeare themed goodies, art materials and books. Schools can also enter collectively to have the chance to win a visit from a well-known children’s author for an exclusive event.

Shakespeare Week will burst into the primary school calendar with a week brimming with free-to-access resources and activity ideas, celebrating the legacy of Shakespeare’s First Folio. This is all part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s First Folio at 400 celebrations and will inspire children to unleash their own creativity.

Highlights include:

Monday 20 March
Shakespeare Week assembly with Ben Cajee & SBT’s Shakespeare puppet, including the launch of a catchy new Shakespeare Week song

Monday 20 March
​A special launch event at Nottingham University’s Lakeside Arts theatre where 120 children from Nottingham, Barnsley and the West Midlands will perform and take part in a festival of creativity.

Tuesday 21 March
Will’s Wonderful Way With Words - an exciting creative language workshop with acclaimed children’s author Michael Rosen

Wednesday 22 March
​Flash mob and storytelling event at The Story Museum, Oxford

Thursday 23 March
Creative Cartooning - with Horrible Histories artist Martin Brown

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March
The week’s creative activity ends with a weekend celebration of Shakespeare’s work, life and times – expect to see street performances including dance and sword-fighting as well as a host of hands-on art activities including a new LEGO family workshop.

Shakespeare Week takes place from Mon 20 to Sun 26 March. For more information on any of the events or resources or to take part in the ‘Write ‘Till Your Ink Be Dry’ competition please visit shakespeareweek.org.uk