Beth Cuenco set up Wise Words in 2009 with the ambition to create a weekend filled with moments of wonder – encounters with poetry, literature and the arts that would stop people in their tracks, encourage them to take a moment out of their busy lives to enjoy, reflect and reconnect with the people and city around them.
Wise Words is now an award-winning festival that takes places twice a year (in the spring and autumn) and provides a magical experience where poetry, prose, art, music, talks and discussions take place in the enchanted Greyfriars Gardens and pop up performances take place across the city – on the streets, in coffeehouses, in the gardens and even on the river.
Our strength lies in our ability to offer beautiful, intricate and often intimate encounters with our work and artists with the aim of inspiring curiosity and reawakening wonder.
As a not for profit social enterprise our generous Friends, Lovers and Partners are a hugely important part of our development and growth.
Now that we have joined Localgiving.com your donations can go even further! Donating to us through Localgiving.com lets you claim Gift Aid*, giving us an additional 25% at no extra cost to you!
Join our circle of Friends
To a festival of our size your support makes a HUGE difference. It allows us to strengthen and grow our festival programme and bring incredible local and internationally acclaimed artists to perform.
As our reputation grows, the intimacy of our fabulous venues makes Wise Words very special – it also means that our most popular events get booked up quickly. Our circle of Friends is the first to see the lineup for both Wise Words and A Few Wise Words and has the opportunity to buy our very limited Early Bird Festival Passes before they go on general release.
Join our circle of Friends for a donation of between £20 – £49
Become a Lover
Or do you feel that spark, that tingling down your spine, the feeling that only occurs when you a recognise a connection, a meeting of minds and values? Forgive me if this seems a little forward, but if you love what we do and have a little more to give, then you may wish to become a Lover.
Lovers, like Friends, will be the first to see our lineup for both Wise Words and A Few Wise Words and have the opportunity to buy our very limited Early Bird Festival Passes before they go on general release.
Lovers (and a guest) will also be invited to our very special Festival Launch on the evening of Friday 12th September. An event not to be missed!
Become a Lover for a donation of £50+
Become a Partner
Wise Words has reached an age when it feels ready for proper partnerships. It has a strong sense of its identity and knows what it needs in order to grow and flourish. It is often commended for its beauty and ability to ‘surprise’ and ‘delight’. It has boundless energy and ambition to match.
Partnerships often take time to grow – we recognise that and would like the opportunity to introduce ourselves properly.
Each year we hold two magical events that offer our guests a taste of what we do and bring together Partners of the Festival old and new.
The beauty of this world is that we are all different – taking the time to get to know one another is important. If you think you may be interested in becoming a Partner and would like the opportunity to explore how more substantial support might help us become stronger, better and more resilient, then please do get in touch – Beth Cuenco, Festival Director | 07540 998872 | [email protected]
If you would like to become a Partner as an individual rather than a business you can donate through Local Giving and increase your contribution by 25% at no extra cost to yourself.
Become a Partner for a donation of £1000+
“Wise Words reaches for the stars but has its feet firmly rooted in the ground’” Lemn Sissay
*Gift Aid can only be claimed by an individual UK taxpayer donating their own funds.