A MAN-MADE oasis has been created at the University of York as part of the city’s inaugural Festival of Ideas.

The grass carpet will be open to the public until June 24, alongside the exhibition of John Minihan’s striking photographs of playwright Samuel Beckett, as part of the festival, which begins today.

Focusing on the themes of the playwright, the body and the Bible, the festival is a partnership between the University of York, York Theatre Royal, the National Centre for Early Music, York St John University and York Museums Trust.

It brings together world-class speakers, exhibitions, and artistic performances, showcasing ideas, arts and culture.

Joan Concannon, director of external relations at the University of York, said: “York is an incredibly exciting, vibrant and diverse city and rich in heritage, we want the festival to capture people’s imagination and encourage new ideas to spring to life and flourish.

“The Island Of Green is designed to provide a calm, sensory space providing the opportunity to step away from the ‘norm’, be inspired by the space and let their creative juices flow.”

The festival runs until July 10 and will include readings by Nobel Laureate J M Coetzee and fellow novelist and Booker Prize winner John Banville.

The festival will feature performances of the playwright’s works by the Gare St Lazare Players.

York Art Gallery is showcasing the controversial career of York painter William Etty, who was inspired by Rubens and Titian and became the first major British artist to specialise in depicting the nude. The festival will also celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, with a series of events, including the exhibition A Book Fit For A King at York Minster and a blend of early Renaissance music and digital imagery in The Greatest Story Ever Told, inspired by the Mystery Plays, at the National Centre For Early Music.

To see a full list of events and times and dates, visit yorkfestivalofideas.com

Festival highlights

· The Greatest Story Ever Told? Held at the National Centre for Early Music in Walmgate. Runs until Friday June 17.

· Ideas and Narratives: Creative writing workshop on Monday June 20 between 6.30pm and 8pm at De Grey Court, York St John University.

· Sensory Stories Café: Tuesday June 21, 3.30pm until 5.30pm at Tulip Tree Garden, Berrick Saul Building, Univserity of York.

· Bring Your Family Bible: Tuesday June 21, between 6pm and 8pm at Ken Spelman Rare Books, Micklegate.

· Reading by John Banville: Thursday June 23, 6pm, Physics building at the University of York.

· A Mad World, My Masters by Thomas Middleton: comedy by the Jacobean playwright from Thursday June 23 to Saturday 25 at the department of theatre, film and television at the University of York.

· Beckett in Music: performance celebrating the playwright’s impact on contemporary music. Held on Saturday June 25, from 1pm at Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall at the University Hall.