The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival
8–17 October 2010
About the festival…
One of the oldest and best loved literature festivals in the world… lectures, poetry readings, children’s events, interviews, storytelling, book groups, writing workshops, education projects, live literature… save the date, 8–17 October 2010.
“One of the biggest events in the literature world.”
BBC Gloucestershire
For a taste of the festival view our 2009 brochure.
The Big Read — Far From the Madding Crowd
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is joining forces with Bonne Maman Pâtisserie and Vintage Classics for our 2010 Big Read — Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
more about the Big Read
Literature Festival highlights — a look back at 2009…
One of the oldest and best loved Literature Festivals in the world, with its signature blend of award-winning writers and world-renowned thinkers, the festival is a crucible for topical debate and discussion. It is a celebration of the joy of books, the thrill of debate, and the unique two-way conversation between writer and reader.
“I can’t think where or when I might have such a fine, fascinating entertaining time as I did these past two weekends.”
Erica Wagner, The Times
Take a look at what our celebrity guests thought of the 2009 festival!
Video from Literature 2009 — The Times Online…
Interviews
- Mitchell and Webb: ‘Alan Bennett – tabloid columnist’
- Stephen Fry and Judi Dench: ‘The cult of celebrity’
- Richard Overy: ‘Historical fiction in teaching’
- Alastair Campbell: ‘Spin has spun out of control’
- Sir Harold Evans: ‘Paying for internet journalism’
- Lord Ashcroft: ‘Bravery in modern warfare’
- Sir Richard Eyre: ‘Why theatre profits soar as the economy nosedives’
- Lord Robert Skidelsky: ‘Osborne’s budget is unrealistic’
Full-length events
2009 — our 60th anniversary celebration!
After a record-breaking year in 2008, the 2009 Literature Festival saw us celebrate The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival’s 60th year with over 650 authors and more than 440 events, and bigger audiences than ever before with over 115,000 tickets sold!
“My first time! Loved every minute.”
Audience member
We hope you managed to join us for our celebration of great literature and poetry, spell-binding storytelling, fascinating talks and discussions and much more. Don’t miss next year’s festival, 8 to 17 October 2010.
“There’s nothing like hearing an author enthusing about their own work, or a writer who has influenced them, to point you in new directions…and encourage you to try writers that you’ve never tried before.”
Sarah Smyth, Artistic Director
The world’s oldest Literature Festival was founded in 1949, and has witnessed many political and cultural changes. In 2009 we talked not only about the past, but also at the future ahead: literature, history, politics, medicine, what got people talking, what events changed the course of history and people’s lives in the past six decades — as well as what the future holds!
2009 — and ten Guest Directors…
