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The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival: 8th - 17th October 2010
29 September 2010
Cheltenham can lay claim to be home to the longest running annual literature festival in the world. Launched in 1949 by George Wilkinson the Cheltenham Spar Manager and locally based author John Moore, the Cheltenham festival has developed a world renown reputation as one of the most influential literary events in the calendar.
The unique flavour of the Cheltenham Festival is due to its organisation into 'features' and each year have an essential theme that underscore the programme of events. The theme for the festivals 61st year looks at the fascinating world of dreams and nightmares. Writing about the supernatural is explored by looking at the genres of vampires, gods, monsters and angels.
Nine categories are in line to be covered at this year's event with an array of exciting authors, politicians, actors, philosophers, poets, chefs and gardeners taking to the stages to discuss theirs and the work of inspiring professionals. The nine categories covered include Poetry, Enterprise, gardens and design, and international writing, as well as topics outlined below.
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Comedy Writing The theme of comedy has a well subscribed platform with its events tagged as laugh out loud. An impressive array of comedians appears in all sorts of formats. One such example is the collection of screen writers including: Armando Iannucci discussing his fantastic award winning political satire 'The Thick of It'; with Simon Jackson who has written 'The Kumar's at Number 42' and 'Have I got news for you'; and creator of the Peep show , Jessie Armstrong. The opportunity also exists to hear live discussion and talks from other distinguished comedians: Radio 2 Breakfast DJ Chris Evans will discuss his 'Memoirs of a Fruitcake'; Dawn French will be discussing her new book – 'A Tiny Bit Marvellous'; Dom Joly discusses his explorations into unusual places detailed in 'The Dark Tourist'; Jo Brand discusses her second autobiography, 'Can't Stand up for Sitting Down'; and actor Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) discusses his memoirs entitled 'Nerd Do Well'. Other comedic sessions include: Harry Hill; Arabella Weir; Stuart Maconie; Phil Jupitus; Alexei Sayle; Jenny Éclair and the outrageous Graham Norton. |
Science Fiction Literature
For lovers of the sci-fi genre there are discussions about the authors HG Wells; George Orwell and John Wyndham; a discussion about how to read science fiction for the uninitiated as well as a discussion from celebrated author Iain Banks.
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Political Literature
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Food and Drink Books
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Over 450 events will be taking place in Cheltenham and so it is impossible to do justice to the detail here. Take a look at the website and see for yourself the array of talent and interest. It is guaranteed that all book lovers will wish they were off work for a fortnight as there is so much to appreciate. From Professor Stephen Hawking to Sebastian Faulks, the Cheltenham literary festival really has something to interest everyone.
 The Grand Design: New Answers to the Ultimate Questions of Life Stephen Hawking|Leonard Mlodinow (Hardcover)  |
