14-12-2015
Hi, I’m Lina LitFest, the new mascot for the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at your favourite literature festival, look no further!
Lina: What exactly does a Programming Intern do?
My main role is to help Mary Ann (Festival Administrator) to put together the authors’ itineraries of their time during the Festival and to help organise their travel arrangements. I also do other jobs for the Programming Department such as putting together cue cards for Festival events. Additionally, I work closely with the Communications Department where I can. For example, I recently worked with the Comms team on messaging for Litfest as well as DIWC social media and gathering together quotes for the website.
Lina: What’s a typical day for you?
Normally the first thing I do is check my emails and then start working on any assignments. A typical day might also involve team meetings, debriefs and a cup of tea – somewhere between!
Lina: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at #EAFOL16?
It’s hard to say… I think I’d have to say Jaqueline Wilson because I read a lot of her books when I was younger and I’d be interested to know what she’s like as a person!
Lina: Tell me about your favourite book.
It’s so hard because I’m not sure I have a favourite anymore! In terms of books that I have really enjoyed, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte would be up there. I remember reading it at school and I loved Jane as a character. George Elliot’s Middlemarch and The Mill On The Floss are two books that have made an impression too. They’re probably unusual choices but again, I liked the characters. If I had to choose a few favourites though they would have to be books that I read as a child because they’re books that have stayed with me. For example, I love the The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, which I re-read several years ago and really enjoyed! – It’s so simply written and there’s so much to it!
Lina: If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?
I’m not sure…! Probably Lucy Pevensie from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. She’s such a great character and so natural and child-like!
