Dates for your diary: Saffron Walden Words Around Britain Festival 5 – 26 March, 2010 Oundle Festival of Literature 6 – 20 March, 2010 London Word Festival 7 March – 1 April, 2010 Huddersfield Literature Festival, 10 – 14 March, 2010 StAnza Poetry Festival, St Andrews 17 – 21 March, 2010 York Literature Festival 18 – 28 March, 2010
Writes of spring
Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival 20 – 28 March, 2010 However, if you find yourself with a spare minute, then why not go for a pint at The Eagle and Child on St Giles street, where CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien famously discussed rabbit holes and Hobbits? www.oxfordliteraryfestival.com
Saffron Walden Words Around Britain Festival
“Come, spring!” urges Lord Tennyson in his gushing ode The Progress of Spring; the season seems to inspire, encourage and fill mankind with hope. This year, the effect that a little gentle warmth and the slowly lengthening days can have, especially on the literary world, has not gone unnoticed. re:new has counted over 13 different literary festivals scattered across the UK throughout March, a month which sits on the cusp between the melting winter and the mild spring. If winter has left you feeling cold in both body and spirit, try seeking out one of our top choices of literary events, where you are sure to discover some warmth for 2010.
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Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival
Over 270 events have been planned across the ancient city, which has had literature running through its veins for hundreds of years. Readings, debates and discussions will be hosted by novelists, biographers and critics, with input from philosophers, theologians and engineers – reflecting the diversity and vigour of Oxford University’s academic history. Guests ranging from television presenter Dan Cruickshank to authors Ian McEwan and Martin Amis will be speaking in historic venues such as Christ Church, Corpus Christi College and the Bodleian Library. This year, the festival is also launching a series of talks at the spectacular Sheldonian Theatre.
As the festival’s name suggests, this picturesque town in north-west Essex will be hosting a number of events focusing on literature in Britain. Simon Hoggart, political sketch-writer for the Guardian and wine columnist for The Spectator, will be speaking about Westminster, while Matthew Engel, columnist for the Financial Times, will be lamenting our relationship with the British rail system – something everybody has an opinion on. And, not wanting to shy away from controversy, historian Maureen Weller will be dissecting the social implications of marriage. www.hertsevents.co.uk
StAnza Poetry Festival, St Andrews
StAnza is the only festival of its kind in Scotland, dedicated purely to poetry in what couldn’t be a better setting. Not only is poetry embedded into the Scottish mindset (see the proud celebrations of Robert Burns), but the StAnza event organisers have boldly proclaimed its host town of St Andrews as “Scotland’s poetry capital”. But who could blame them? A quarter of the town’s population comprises students studying at Scotland’s oldest university – a mixture of young talent, academia and enthusiasm. The event will also be welcoming
All photos: press shots
Literary festivals are happening all around the UK in the coming weeks, some well known, some under the radar and others just plain unexpected. Josie Allchin picks out the best of the bunch