Events
NZ Festival: A Tall, Long-Faced Tale
Programme about Margaret Mahy, Saturday January 19 2008 at 9:45 pm and repeated on Sunday January 20 at 9:30am, on TV One
An interviewer once asked Margaret Mahy: If you were transformed into her true self, what would you become? Mahy replied, A tall, long-faced tale. What better way to describe a person who is widely acknowledged to be one of New Zealands greatest writers? Margaret Mahy is famous for her childrens' and young adult books and has received many literary accolades, the most recent being the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2006 - one of the world's most prestigious acknowledgements for excellence in children's writing. But there is much more to Margaret Mahy than that.
In the NZ Festival documentary A Tall, Long-Faced Tale, viewers get an opportunity to see the real Mahy - Mahy the intellectual, Mahy the magical, Mahy the witty, the whimsical and the wicked, as interviewed by some of her own fictional characters and fellow author Elizabeth Knox. When director Yvonne Mackay suggested that in this documentary Mahy's own characters might also help interview her, Mahy was so intrigued about what could eventuate, she forgot her vow never to do another documentary that might even slightly resemble a biography. Animated paper cut-outs like the Lion from The Lion In The Meadow and the Witch from The Witch In The Cherry Tree step into Mahy's living room and her life. They leave as they came, appearing and vanishing as slickly as a Cheshire cat. Adding to these fascinating characters are interviews with some of Mahy's extraordinary illustrators - Quentin Blake, Steven Kellogg and Jenny Williams.
Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/1503245
Christchurch City Libraries events
Christchurch City Libraries have had a number of events featuring Margaret in the past.
Following the looping line: a one-day symposium exploring the literary legacy of Margaret Mahy.
A lively programme of panel discussions, conversations and reader responses will deepen understanding and extend discussion of the work of one of our national treasures. Featuring some of New Zealand’s leading writers for children and some of our most notable commentators on children’s literature, this challenging, celebratory and entertaining programme provides considered information for teachers, librarians, students and readers.
Sunday 2 July 2006 at Our City O-Tautahi.
Find out more about the symposium
Portrait Unveiling
Christchurch City Councillor Anna Crighton unveiled a portrait of Margaret Mahy at the Central Library on Monday 18 August 2003.
Find out more about the portrait unveiling
Bookgig
In 2001 Christchurch City Libraries and the Christchurch Drama Centre presented a Bookgig based on two of Margaret Mahy's books, A busy day for a good grandmother and The Five Sisters. Scripted by the Drama Centre's director Rosie Belton, the Bookgig was performed by students of the Centre for pupils from local primary schools.
Find out more about the Bookgig
Book Launch
In November 2001 The riddle of the frozen phantom, was launched at Christchurch City Libraries. During the launch Margaret read from the book and also described some of her memorable experiences on the ice.
Find out more about the launch of The riddle of the frozen phantom