Cheltenham Festivals Blog

Do you love a book so much you want everyone to read it?

2012-01-23T16:57:00.000Z

World Book Night launched in 2011 and saw 20,000 passionate readers across the UK give 1 million books to spread the joy and love of reading. Reading changes lives and at the heart of World Book Night lies the simplest of ideas and acts - that of putting a book into another person’s hand and saying ‘this one’s amazing, you have to read it’.

World Book Night 2012 will be held on April 23 and is once more looking for 20,000 volunteer givers. This year the givers will be distributing 24 copies each (480,000 books) with further books distributed directly to prisons and libraries through charitable partners.

We've already signed up, click here to join us.

From
The Literature Festival Team at Cheltenham Festivals

Follow on Twitter @worldbooknight

New year… new Festival line-ups

2012-01-17T12:09:00.000Z

As the first festival names for 2012 are revealed, Membership Scheme Manager Laura Brand enjoys a special preview of the Summer season...

I’ve always liked this time of year. Not the cold of course, or the long, darkevenings, but the anticipation of a new year, and all of the plans that I findmyself making, now that January’s here.

So it seems only right that this is the time when the first2012 Festival programme details come out too. Putting together Directors’ Picks(our Members’ magazine) is always really interesting for us here in theMarketing team, as it’s the first time that we get to hear all that theFestival Directors have planned.

This year looks great, with Paloma Faith at Jazz and Nigel Kennedyat Music. And as well as the headliners,there are all kinds of interesting events that I’m looking forward to as well:a 1920s dance at art-deco favourite,The Daffodil, a “Salute to London”classical music concert and a series of Re:generationthemed talks at the Science Festival.

Directors, Artists in Residence and Festival favourites haveall contributed to Directors’ Pickswith their picks of the programme and behind the scenes interviews. In fact, many of them had so much to say thatit wouldn’t all fit into one magazine, so we’re lucky to have extendedinterviews online.

The Festival teams are busily at work putting the finaltouches to their programmes, which are released first to Members next month. But for now, Directors’ Picks (which you can browse through below) is a great place to begin, and to start makingplans for the summer.

Laura Brand

Membership Scheme Manager

Discover the Festival line-ups and reserve your place at Directors’ Picks LIVE

24th December: 'Twas the night before Christmas...

2011-12-24T10:00:00.000Z

...and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

As advent draws to close, our Festive-al advent competition reaches its grand finale with an extra special prize - a luxurious stay at Lower Slaughter Manor in Gloucestershire, a Cheltenham Festivals Membership and, of course, a festival goody bag!

Such a fabulous prize deserves a fabulously festive question.

A whole host of our guests from The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2011 have joined together to wish you a very Merry Christmas... and we want you to name our Festive-al stars!

There's 28 in total including actors, comedians, politicians, authors, famous faces, and even a couple of well known literary characters... For your chance to win just watch the video below and identify as many Festive-al stars as you can.

To be in with a chance of winning just tell us who our festive-al stars are in the form below. The winner will be the person with the most correct answers, and in the event of a tie, will be drawn from all correct entries.

UPDATE: The competition is now closed. The correct answer is as follows:

Tony Benn
Julia Donaldson
Malorie Blackman
Jeremy Paxman
Sebastian Faulks
Francesca Simon
Penny Smith
Grace Dent
Patrick Kielty
Jarvis Cocker
Mr Darcy
Larry Lamb
Joanna Lumley
Ian Hislop
George Lamb
Stephen Poliakoff
Robert Lindsay
William Shakespeare
Kwasi Kwarteng
Lee Child
Adam Hart-Davis
Mark Kermode
Witi Ihimaera
Duncan Bannatyne
Fern Britton
Celia Imrie
Roger McGough
Jonathan Ross

Congratulations if you got them all correct!

23rd December: A theatrical treat...

2011-12-23T09:30:00.000Z

We've got an extra special treat to be won today courtesy of our friends at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Just identify today's mystery festive-al star for a chance to win four tickets to the RSC's brand new play The Heresy of Love on 6th February 2012.

The Heresy of Love by Helen Edmundson is inspired by the life of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and opens at the Swan Theatre in Stratford on 2nd February. You can find out all about it on the RSC website.

We spoke to today's mystery star at the Music Festival in July. He's a superstar pianist who played in our concert for schools - so we asked him for advice to inspire budding young musicians, press play below to hear his answer…

23 Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... James Rhodes! Listen to the full interview from Music 2011 here:

James Rhodes interview - #cheltmusicfest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals

22nd December: Dreaming of a literary Christmas...

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000Z

Just two days until Christmas, and we're taking a trip back to the Literature Festival in October.

Today's prize package includes two great books to entertain you through the winter nights. The prize includes a signed copy of The Good, the Bad and the Multiplex by Mark Kermode, a copy of Eleven by comedian Mark Watson, and a festival goody bag.

To be in with a chance of winning just identify today's mystery star who we met at the Literature Festival. We asked him what books he loves, press play below to hear his answer…

22nd Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Jarvis Cocker! Watch the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

21st December: Christmas with a bang!

2011-12-21T10:00:00.000Z

For today's prize we take our last visit of the season into the Science Festival archives.

Today's lucky winner can make sure Christmas goes with a bang with a Festive-al Goody bag packed with explosive treats. The package includes two great books - Richard Hammond's Blast Lab and James Cracknell's Body Science - the perfect combination for any budding young inventor, explorer or scientist. To be in with a chance of winning just identify today's stellar scientific star...

Today’s mystery guest is a huge scientific star, who just loves the Science Festival. We asked him what makes Cheltenham so great, press play below to hear his answer…

21st Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Brian Cox! Listen to the full interview from Science 2011 here:

Brian Cox interview - #cheltscifest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals

20th December: A stocking packed with literary treats...

2011-12-20T10:00:00.000Z

There's only five sleeps until Christmas, and today's Festive-al treat is perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's night.

Today's prize package includes a signed copy of A.D. Miller's Man Booker Prize nominated novel Snow Drops, a copy of Dickens' festive classic A Christmas Carol and a Festival goody bag.

To be in with a chance of winning these literary classics just identify today's mystery star.

Today’s mystery guest is an award-winning author, who made his Cheltenham Literature Festival debut in 2010. We asked him about his year as the reigning Man Booker Prize winner, press play below to hear his answer…

20th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Howard Jacobson! Watch the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

19th December: Give a whole year of Festivals...

2011-12-19T10:00:00.000Z

Today's lucky winner will be able to enjoy a whole year of festivals with today's prize of a Full Membership to Cheltenham Festivals (worth £35) and a festival goody bag.

As a member, today's winner will enjoy priority booking, exclusive festival previews and reduced ticket prices for the Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals in 2012. It's the perfect gift for any fan of the festivals!

Visit the Festival website for more on all the benefits of Membership.

To be in with a chance of winning just identify today's mystery Festive-al star. Today's performer is an international star, who was a real hit at this year's Jazz Festival. His concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, and here's what he said about making his UK jazz debut in Cheltenham....

19th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Hugh Laurie! Congratulations if you got it right.

Credit Marilyn Kingwill

18th December

2011-12-18T10:00:00.000Z

We have just one week to go until Christmas now, so don't forget to keep entering our competition each day for the chance to win Festival goodies!

Today's mystery guest was a Festival star at Literature 2011, and is a real fan of comic books and graphic novels - so we asked them why they love them so much.

Press play below to hear their answer, and tell us who they are to win a Festive-al prize and goody bag...

18th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Jonathan Ross! Watch the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

17th December

2011-12-17T10:00:00.000Z

Back to the Cheltenham Music Festival again today, and a mystery guest from our 2011 Festival...

In keeping with the classical theme, you could win a full album from one of our star performers of last year's programme - and of course a Festival goody bag.

Today's mystery guest is a rising star in the classical world. We asked them what inspires them, press play below to hear their answer...

17th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Miloš Karadaglić! Congratulations if you got it right.

16th December: With tidings of comfort and joy...

2011-12-16T10:00:00.000Z

Today's prize is an indulgent treat from our friends at the Montpellier Chapter Hotel in Cheltenham. Today's lucky winner will be treated to 80 minutes of bliss in the Hotel Spa with an intense de-stress muscle massage (worth £65).

The Montpellier Chapter is Cheltenham's newest boutique hotel and a visit to their spa offers a tranquil escape from the stresses of the festive season.You can find out all about the indulgent treatments on offer on the Montpellier Chapter website.

To be in with a chance of winning this relaxing treat, and a festival goody bag, just identify today's mystery star.

Today’s mystery star was in the fastest selling event at the Literature Festival in October. We asked them how they found their way into writing, press play below to hear their answer…

16th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Ian Hislop! See the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

15th December: Walking in a winter wonder-land...

2011-12-15T10:00:00.000Z

As Christmas creeps closer, we look back to the Science Festival in June with a very scientific themed advent competition.

Today's prize is simply out of this world - a copy of The Wonders of the Universe book by Professor Brian Cox. This beautiful book accompanies the acclaimed BBC TV series, and would be the perfect gift for any fan of outerspace. To be in with a chance of winning the book and a festival goody bag just identify today's mystery star.

Today's mystery star is a writer with a passion for science who Guest Directed this year's Science Festival. We asked him what he thinks is the most important scientific breakthrough, press play to hear his answer…

15th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Alan Moore! Listen to the full interview from Science 2011 here:

Alan Moore interview - #cheltscifest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals

14th December: A treat for a cold winter's night...

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000Z

Today's prize is perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's night - a signed copy of Fern Britton's new novel New Beginnings.

Warm, witty and wise, New Beginnings is a behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of life as a daytime TV presenter. To be in with a chance of winning this signed copy and a festival goody bag just identify today's mystery Festive-al star.

We spoke to today's mystery star at the Literature Festival when she was speaking about the joy of twitter. We asked her all about her latest gadget, press play below to hear her answer…

14th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Grace Dent! See the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

13th December: Jazzing around the Christmas Tree...

2011-12-13T10:00:00.000Z

It's the season for meeting up with old friends and listening to great music, so to celebrate we've got a Jazz Festival treat in today's advent stocking...

As well as a Festive-al goody bag, today's prize package includes three inspiring jazz CDs. Identify our mystery star for the chance to win CDs by British jazz stars the Portico Quartet, Norwegian quintet Farmers Market and jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen.

Today’s mystery star is one of the nation's favourite personalities with a real passion for jazz. We asked him what makes Cheltenham Jazz Festival so great, press play below to hear his answer…

13th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Michael Parkinson! Congratulations if you got it right.

Credit Jules Beresford

12th December: A very literary Christmas...

2011-12-12T10:00:00.000Z

Today's prize is a special treat for all lovers of award-winning literature - a signed hard-back copy of The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson.

This Man Booker prize-winning novel has quickly become a modern classic and Howard Jacobson's humour, talent and wit have made him a real Cheltenham favourite. This is the perfect gift for any literary aficionado, especially when accompanied by a festival goody bag....

To be in with a chance of winning just identify today's mystery Festive-al star.

Today’s mystery star is another award-winning writer who is a real Cheltenham favourite. We asked him what it is like to see your novel adapted for the stage and screen, press play below to hear his answer…

12th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Sebastian Faulks! See the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

11th December: Pianists playing...

2011-12-11T10:00:00.000Z

It's just two weeks to go until the big day,and today's Festive-al prize comes from the Music Festival.

Today we are giving away a copy of Razor Blades, Little Pills & Big Pianos by pianist James Rhodes. James was a huge hit at this year's Music Festival, and this CD features captures that brilliance with pieces by Bach, Chopin and Beethoven. To be in with a chance of winning this stunning CD and a festival goody bag, just identify today's mystery star.

We spoke to today's Norwegian star at the Music Festival in July. He's played all over the world, so we asked him what makes Cheltenham so special. Press play below to hear his answer…

11th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Leif Ove Andsnes! Listen to the full interview from Music 2011 here:

Leif Ove Andsnes interview - #cheltmusicfest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals

10th December: Unwrap the perfect gift...

2011-12-10T10:00:00.000Z

Today's lucky winner will be able to enjoy a whole year of festivals with today's prize of a Full Membership to Cheltenham Festivals (worth £35) and a festival goody bag.

As a member, today's winner will enjoy priority booking, exclusive festival previews and reduced ticket prices for the Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals in 2012. It's the perfect gift for any fan of the festivals!

Visit the Festival website for more on all the benefits of Membership.

Today’s mystery star is a children's favourite who has previously Guest Directed the Literature Festival. This year he starred in both family and school events, so we asked him how he made each event unique, press play below to hear his answer…

10th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Roger McGough! See the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

9th December: Christmas with a bang...

2011-12-09T10:00:00.000Z

Today we're celebrating the festive season with a Science Festival treat - a copy of Do Try This at Home! produced by the Science Museum.

The book features a feast of spectacular experiements for scientists of all ages. Packed with fun, and a free DVD, this is the way to celebrate Christmas with a bang. For a chance of winning the book and a Festive-al goody bag, just identify today's mystery star of the Science Festival.

Today’s mystery guest is one of the nation's favourite scientists. We asked him what keeps the world so fascinated by Science, press play below to hear his answer…

9th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Robert Winston! Listen to the full interview from Science 2011 here:

Robert Winston interview - #cheltscifest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals

8th December: A Christmas cracker...

2011-12-08T10:00:00.000Z

We've got a real comedy cracker for today's lucky winner - a signed copy of Frank Skinner's latest book The Collected Wisdom of Frank Skinner: Dispatches from the Sofa (and, of course, a festival goody bag!).

Frank was a huge hit at the Literature festival - and this book packs in all the wit and wisdom of two years worth of weekly columns in The Times. It's the perfect gift for comedy fans! To win this signed copy, just identify today's mystery star.

We caught up with today’s Literature Festival star before he went on stage to do a live Q&A with his father. We asked him what it's like to interview your dad, press play below to hear his answer…

8th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... George Lamb! Congratulations if you got it right.

7th December: Jingle bell jazz...

2011-12-07T10:00:00.000Z

On the seventh day of advent, Cheltenham Festivals gave to you... a goody bag bursting with Jazz festival treats!

As well as Festive-al treats, today's prize package includes three outstanding jazz CDs. Identify our mystery star for the chance to win CDs by jazz supremo Denys Baptiste, Norwegian starlet Susanna and the outstanding Nigel Kennedy Quartet.

Today’s mystery guest is an American jazz star. He's performed all over the world, so we asked him what makes Cheltenham such a great place to perform, press play below to hear their answer…

7th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Kyle Eastwood! Congratulations if you got it right.

Credit Lisa Wynn

6th December: A theatrical treat...

2011-12-06T10:00:00.000Z

Christmas is creeping closer, and we're on to day six of our advent extravaganza! Today we've got a festive theatrical treat - as well as a festival goody bag, we're giving away two tickets to see Operation Greenfield at the Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham this Friday 9th December.

The Little Bulb Theatre Company bring Operation Greenfield to Cheltenham following an award-winning run at the Edinburgh Festival and three weeks at Soho Theatre. This is a gem of a show not to be missed! Visit the Parabola Arts Centre website for all the details.

To be in with a chance of winning, just identify today's mystery star. Our Literature Festival Star is a real children's favourite, so we asked her about the books she loved as a child. Press play below to hear her answer…

6th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Julia Donaldson! Watch the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

5th December: A classical Christmas time...

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000Z

Today's prize is a real classical treat courtesy of the Music Festival.

Identify today's mystery star for the chance to win a festival goody bag and a copy of Debussy: Complete Works for Piano (volume 2) performed by Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.

The pianist's Cheltenham performance left audiences spellbound this Summer - recapture the magic with this stunning CD.

Today’s mystery guest is a classical music superstar. We asked them what makes Cheltenham such a brilliant Music Festival, press play below to hear their answer…

5th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Evelyn Glennie! Listen to the full interview from Music 2011 here:

Evelyn Glennie interview - #cheltmusicfest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals

4th December: A Winter's Tale...

2011-12-04T10:00:00.000Z

We've got an extra special treat to be won today courtesy of our friends at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Just identify today's mystery festive-al star for a chance to win four tickets to the RSC's brand new play The Heresy of Love on 6th February 2012.

The Heresy of Love by Helen Edmundson is inspired by the life of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and opens at the Swan Theatre in Stratford on 2nd February. You can find out all about it on the RSC website.

We spoke to today's mystery star at the Literature Festival in October. We asked our fabulous starlet about her lifelong love of books, press play below to hear her answer…

4th Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Joanna Lumley! See the full interview from Literature 2011 here:

3rd December: The most Wonder-ful time of the year...

2011-12-03T10:00:00.000Z

It's the third day of Advent, and we've come over all scientific.

Today's Festive-al prize is simply out of this world - a copy of The Wonders of the Solar System book by the brilliant Professor Brian Cox. To be in with a chance of winning this beautiful book and a festival goody bag just identify our mystery star.

Today's star is a really stand-up guy, determined to bring the funny side of science to the masses.

We asked him why Cheltenham Science Festival is so bloomin' important, press play to hear his answer...

3rd Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was... Robin Ince! Listen to the full interview from Science 2011 here:

Robin Ince interview - #cheltscifest 2011 by Cheltenham Festivals>

2nd December: A Christmas Carol...

2011-12-02T10:00:00.000Z

And so to day two of our Festive-al Advent Competition.

Identify today's mystery festival star for your chance to win a copy of the suitably festive classic - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and a Festival goody bag.

We've been reading A Christmas Carol to get us in the mood for Christmas, and in readiness for the Bonne Maman Big Read book group next week. It's definitely one to cheer even the biggest Scrooge!

To win, just tell us who today's mystery star is. We asked our mystery Literature Festival star about their favourite books, press play below to hear their answer…

2nd Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

The competition is now closed.

UPDATE: the mystery festive-al star was - Jeremy Paxman! You can watch the whole interview from the Literature Festival here...

1st December: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….

2011-12-01T10:10:00.000Z

It’s the 1st day of December, and that can mean just one thing- our advent calendar competition is go!

Every day until Christmas we’re giving you the chance to win festival goodies - all you need to do is identify the mystery festival star! We’re kicking the competition off with a swing, and a prize from the Jazz Festival – a copy of Madeleine Peyroux’s Half the Perfect World and a bag of festival goodies.

Today’s mystery guest is a real Cheltenham favourite. We asked them what makes Cheltenham Jazz Festival so great, press play below to hear their answer…

1st Dec - who said that? by Cheltenham Festivals

This competition is now closed.

UPDATE: The answer was, of course, Jamie Cullum! Well done to those that got it right, check the blog each day for another question...

Credit Marilyn Kingwill

Christmas is coming…

2011-11-30T12:40:00.000Z

The secret Santa plans are in place, Christmas cake recipesare being exchanged and the office Christmas tree is about to come out ofretirement – there’s no denying it, here at Festival HQ we're beginning to feel distinctly,well, festive!

To celebrate the festive season we’ll be giving away a hoardof festival goodies everyday right up until Christmas with our Festive-al Advent Competition.

Everyday we’ll introduce a mysterystar from the 2011 festivals – and all you need to do is tell us who it is.

We'll be getting in the Christmas spirit from tomorrow so grab a mince pie, bookmark this page, and get ready torelive the best of the fests with us in the run up to the big day… ‘tis mostdefinitely the season to be jolly!

Festival Challenge: Anjum Anand and Nikki Bedi

2011-10-14T18:15:00.000+01:00

"Something you love, something you're interested in, something you've never heard of"

Day Six – Anjum Anand and Nikki Bedi

Cooking Indian food would be complicated and time consuming, wouldn't it? And the end result would be unhealthy and swimming in oil – ok for a Friday night take-away, but hardly the thing for a mid-week dinner. And a cookery demonstration? Won't that be incredibly detailed, use dozens of ingredients I've never heard of and tell me off taking shortcuts or not chopping my onions finely enough?

Well, no. Today's cookery demonstration with Guest Director and Indian food lover, Anjum Anand, is just like watching two girls talking in a kitchen, as she's interviewed by friend and TV personality Nikki Bedi. The interview covers her life and approach to cooking as a working mother and explains why she sees Indian cuisine as the healthiest of all, packed with spices and superfoods.

While she talks, she cooks a delicious looking (not to say smelling) curry, and the on-stage camera picks up on the details. She's full of practical tips without being didactic,and is such an evangelist for healthy, Indian food that it would be difficult not to be converted.

Woe betide anyone who should interrupt me while I'm trying to concentrate on cooking a meal, but Anjum makes it look effortless. The relaxed format works well; Anjum discusses all kinds of experiences and opinions and it makes a pleasant change from the straight-forward interviews and discussions of other events.

I leave with a recipe for a fail-safe five minute Indian dessert, a plethora of cooking tips and a determination to avoid the takeaway and make my next Indian meal for myself, not to mention an overwhelming urge for lunch - those delicious smells are too much!
Like to try a food event? Try L383 Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on Sunday.

Laura Brand
Membership Scheme Manager

Guest Review: Chris Womersley on L210 Marina Warner

2011-10-14T11:33:00.000+01:00

Here Festival Writer-in-Residence Chris Womersley, reviews Marina Warner's appearance at this year's Festival in L210 The Cheltenham Lecture, exploring the wonders of the classic Tales of the Arabian Nights in Marina's latest book, Stranger Magic.

This year the Cheltenham Lecture was given by the ridiculously accomplished Marina Warner, Professor in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex, writer of numerous books and articles and winner of many prizes. Her wonderful book Phantasmagoria – about changing characterisations of spirits and souls since the Enlightenment - was a great source of inspiration for me when I was writing my novel Bereft, a novel which is, in part at least, about death and haunting.

Marina’s latest book Stranger Magic is an examination of the Tales of the Arabian Nights. The famous Tales of the Arabian Nights is, of course, a collection of Indian and Persian folk tales structured elegantly around the highest possible stakes – a woman named Scheherezade tells stories in order to forestall her own execution. The Tales were collected by various individuals and probably assembled some time in the eighth century. The first European version was translated into French by Antoine Galland from an Arabic text in the early eighteenth century. Along with magnetic mountains, a city of brass and flying machines, they are about the magic of stories and the pleasure of the cliff-hanger. They bring to mind the claim of Vladimir Nabokov’s; that a good story must entertain, educate and enchant, each of which might be dispensed with at a pinch - except for enchantment. This the young Scheherezade surely feels more keenly than any ordinary story-teller, for failure to do so will result in her own death. Luckily, she is no ordinary story-teller and she manages, unnoticed by the sultan, to bear three children before her nights of tale-telling are over.

Marina spoke eloquently of the spread of the tales and the way their fixation on commerce and riches as rewards mirrored the tenor of the age and the concomitant spread of capitalism. There is, she noted dryly, a sort of product placement in effect in the repeated mentions of various goods and services. Also embedded within the narrative is a subversive counter-narrative which offers an alternative to the apparent misogyny of the umbrella story (all women are treacherous, untrustworthy - deserving only of death). Increasing in frequency through the stories are tales in which women are given more dynamic roles and Scheherezade herself is, of course, a heroic figure.

Of surprise to me was the fact that only one of the stories features a flying carpet – the motif that has most certainly come to represent the tales in popular imagination. More common are djinns of various tempers who do the bidding of their masters once released from the vials in which they have been imprisoned. This is, perhaps, rather like the creation of fiction itself – the writer releases certain spirits he hopes will more or less do one’s bidding. Although fictional characters don’t - as people sometimes like to think - assume lives of their own, they are occasionally somewhat slippery and difficult to manage. They must be managed carefully if they are to tell the story in the best possible way.

Chris Womersley
Writer-in-Residence

Guest Review: Gail Jones on L173 Edna O'Brien

2011-10-13T17:13:00.000+01:00

Writer-in-Residence Gail Jones reviews Edna O'Brien's appearance at this year's Festival discussing her distinguished writing career and her latest short story collection, Saints and Sinners.

One of the delights of a literature festival is that of hearing the writer’s voice. This is not blank adoration, nor an effect of the cultish wish to be close to the talented or famous, but a stranger and rather more subtle pleasure. When one hears the writer’s voice, particularly as they read or recite their work, there’s an odd internal residue effect, so that the voice can be summoned when one returns to the prose itself. No doubt the auditory nerve that enables us to recall music - and also, in Jonathon Sacks’ view, to replay maddening jingles with lunatic repetitiousness – also registers memory of the reading voice.

The minute Edna O’Brien began her husky Irish speaking, there it was; the necessary music. She opened her session with a joke: at eighty, she has just won the Frank O’Connor Prize for her new book of stories, Saints and Sinners ; her first book, the famous Country Girls, was negatively reviewed by Frank O’Connor and he claimed among other things that the author had poor choice in men. The claim was “clairvoyant”, O’Brien said, and she was pleased now with the irony of being awarded the prize in his name. From that moment on her lovely voice enchanted: she spoke of the literary enchantment linked to song (and to Joyce in particular); and indeed her first novel is about to reappear as a kind of ‘semi-musical’ stage version, She spoke too of the dreamy in-between state that writing both performs and engages – Sebald was her model here. But it was when O”Brien recited her own prose from memory, with a kind of sumptuous fulsomeness and aesthetic dedication, that the audience was invaded - in my imagination anyway - by the tones and timbre of her utterly particular voice.

Gail Jones
Writer-in-Residence

Guest Blog: Gail Jones on L038 Charles Dickens

2011-10-12T11:24:00.000+01:00

Gail Jones, Festival Writer-in-Residence reviews Claire Tomalin and John Carey's session on Tomalin's new biography of Charles Dickens, Charles Dickens: A Life, from this past Saturday.

A couple of months ago, at an event at Dickens’ House in Doughty Street, I met the head of a Chinese delegation of twenty five translators, all engaged in producing new translations of Dickens’ work for the bicentenary of his birth. The first Chinese translations, he told me, were by a man who knew no English. He consulted with someone who did, who then “told him the stories”, which he then wrote down. Not translation as one would normally understand it, this sounds appallingly reductive, impoverished and even fraudulent, consisting chiefly of some vague, transliterated version of the plot.

At Claire Tomalin and John Carey’s session on Tomalin’s new biography of Dickens, what was most delightful – apart from the genial solidarity of the speakers and their impressive erudition – was the wonderful tribute to detail that each duly engaged and honoured. Typical of Tomalin’s biographies, Carey claimed, was her attention to ‘bit-players’, to minor characters, to wayward small details and the very texture of relationships that might altogether constitute the life and work of a writer. In a fabulously fluent session they then discussed the family and friendships of Dickens – the peculiarity of his father’s sense of class and entitlement, the inability of Dickens to ‘handle’ women, his prodigious energy and enterprise, comically driven, apparently, by pints of champagne and claret. Each gave special tribute to Dickens’ friendship with John Forster, his exceptional first biographer, whom Tomalin cited both as an inspiration to her own work and as a kind of model of loyalty and love.

Tomalin was beautifully modest in her magnificent achievement, and also acknowledged Carey’s contribution to the world of Dickens’ scholarship: together they demonstrated the friendship – and radical human specificity - that invisibly underpins all genuine art.

Gail Jones
Writer-in-Residence

Guest Review: Chris Womersley on L153 David Vann

2011-10-12T10:56:00.000+01:00

Writer-in-Residence, Chris Womersley reviews American author, David Vann's appearance at this year's Literature Festival discussing his debut novel, Legend of a Suicide his latest novel, Caribou Island and how themes of darkness affect the reading public.

What is it about darkness that so frightens the reading public? On Monday night David Vann, the author of Legend of a Suicide and Caribou Island, was in discussion with Steven Gale in Imperial Square. Vann’s father committed suicide when David was a 13-year-old boy and his novel Legend of a Suicide is a fictionalised account of the emotional fallout from that traumatic event. He found it almost impossible to get the novel published – tried unsuccessfully, in fact, for 12 years but was repeatedly turned down because of the grim nature of the novel’s subject.

Legend of a Suicide was eventually only published in 2008 because it won a prize, one of the conditions of which was publication. Most of the reviews in the US, he said, praised the quality of the writing but advised the public to steer clear of it because of its subject matter. The New York Times, however, supported Vann and the novel has gone on to win a number of prizes and be translated into several languages. ‘I sell more of Legend of a Suicide in Catalan than I do in English in the US,’ he said, laughing. ‘The French love it, too.’

The novel’s themes – of death, of the lingering impacts violence – are perhaps somewhat un-American, which might explain the novel’s muted US reception and sales. The American dream, according to Vann, is not about money, per se, but about the willingness to reinvent oneself – for the better, naturally. Wilderness in both Legend of a Suicide and Caribou Island is also a place where characters find not their essential goodness and humanity, but their darkness. Again, it’s a particularly un-American notion (although a common current in Australian literature), whose pioneer history is one of families and individuals striking out into the wilderness and finding their more essential – and better - natures.

One might wonder what a publisher might make of Anna Karenina were it to fall across their desk in this day and age. Yes, it’s well written and a convincing portrayal of a woman’s interior life but does she really have to, you know, kill herself at the end?

Chris Wormersley
Writer-in-Residence

Guest Review: Kalinda Ashton on L048 Gareth Peirce

2011-10-12T10:08:00.000+01:00

Literature Festival Writer-in-Residence, Kalinda Ashton offers a passionate and thought-provoking review of Gareth Peirce in L048 Dispatches from the Dark Side, an event focusing on the use of torture in the war on terror and the consequent erosion of human rights.

I was intrigued to see Gareth Pierce speak about the erosion of human rights, the torture of prisoners, and undermining of rule of law that has emerged in the UK (and elsewhere) since September 11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Australia, where I’m from, I had spent some years involved in an organisation campaigning against repressive new anti-terror laws in my home country, the passing of worryingly termed ‘anti-sedition’ legislation and the horrifying treatment of Australians David Hicks and Jack Thomas while incarcerated (Hicks in Guantanamo Bay). As in the UK and the United States, Australia saw a host of new powers introduced ostensibly to combat terrorism that removed basic and fundamental tenets of transparency and equality before the law. This involved not only the right to hold suspects without charge for extended periods of time but also the provision of severe penalties for such suspects even notifying anyone or speaking publicly about their detention. Trials held in secret were justified under the silencing claim of protecting ‘national security’ a vague but sufficiently menacing phrase to silence all but the most trenchant of critics.

And the last few years has seen not only the horrors of Abu Ghraib photos, but also “extraordinary rendition” that phrase of evasive and euphemistic genius – a weasel word term surely right up there with “collateral damage” – which saw those accused of terrorism and other crimes whisked away to black holes of the world where they could be tortured to the United States government’s, and its allies, hearts’ content without reprisal since these acts of cruelty and humiliation weren’t actually taking place on US soil and therefore could be shoddily justified or plausibly denied. How did we end up in a world where the question of whether we ought to be torturing those against whom now charges have been proven is debated in the pages of mainstream newspaper with commentators expressing their views as guilelessly as if they were discussing topics as ordinary and acceptable as changing tax regulations or health care rebates? (And that’s leaving aside the conclusion that several experts, regardless of their political affiliations, have spoken publicly about: the fact that torture, put simply, does not work, since suspects in agony are likely to admit to almost anything to make the pain stop.)

For a woman with such a polemical style and fierce criticisms, Pierce in person is remarkably gentle, softly spoken, careful and self-deprecating. (At the end of the session she whispered to the chair that she was sure no one would wish to attend her book signing and perhaps it wouldn’t be necessary). She spoke of her fear that the modern state in the United Kingdom is headed for “moral and political catastrophe”, obsessed by the construction of “suspect communities” particularly Islamic or Middle-Eastern people’s who at this moment are dubbed “extremist” in a manufactured culture of suspicion and fear. Pierce also compared some of the manipulation of evidence and treatment of suspects with the fabricated evidence and planted “proof” used against Irish resistance fighters and those she has defended against trumped up charges and corrupt police.

As a lawyer who has represented Moazzam Begg (who along with Hicks and Mamdouh Habib was held in Guantanamo Bay – a prison created under principles consciously aimed at avoiding any legal or military limitations, obligations or safeguards – tortured and belittled) Pierce has taken on cases with courage and conviction. She listed some of the incursions into rights in the last decade that make her fear for how states conduct themselves and observe the eschewing of what may once have been thought of as basic human rights: removing cases from jury trials and/or holding them in secret, the use of evidence against suspects that is not available to them to redress, correct, deny or combat, indefinite detention, control orders, deportations and extraordinary rendition.

Pierce also cautioned again the notion of “exceptionalism” – the assumption that America in particular has somehow earned the right to play by special rules. The government of the United Kingdom, according to Pierce, accesses a slippery and disingenuous attitude to the use of torture along the lines of “others do it; we don’t condone it” despite evidence indicating the Blair government knew very well of what was occurring. This “moral silence” has, in Pierce’s view, added to the abuse and demonisation of individuals such as Begg.

When queried about how she chooses her cases, Pierce paused then replied simply that she takes cases “if someone asks me”; after an audience member asked about if she worries about her own life being under surveillance, Pierce appeared bemused but eventually shrugged and revealed she did not really think much about it.

One of more painful and confronting moments in Pierce’s talk was when she was asked “what does torture do?” to the people who have been subjected to it. Echoing a writer I met in Edinburgh who worked with victims of torture, she said quietly:

As well as what we can’t imagine...young men unable to stand properly, to hear, or to see ... [their experiences are often ones] which they can’t describe. Some people can’t say [what happened] even if their lives literally depended on it [such as refugees applying for asylum]. Two people in the telling of their stories to me have fainted just speaking of it. People don’t go back to normality.

Secret trials, the right to hold suspects without charge or to refuse them entry to countries or indeed deport them without ever showing them the evidence for so doing, ‘military’ prisons such as Guantanamo that explicitly attempted to evade protecting basic human rights outlined in the Geneva convention, confessions obtained through torture, deceit and the threat of indefinite detention in isolation – is this really what twenty-first century democracies are meant to look like?

Kalinda Ashton
Writer-in-Residence

Festival Challenge: How to...Survive Exploring the Extremes

2011-10-11T18:58:00.000+01:00

"Something you love, something you're interested in, something you've never heard of"

Day Five – How to … Survive Exploring the Extremes

One of the things I love about this Festival challenge is the surprise of it. Taking my seat in The Salon among the Tuesday-morning Cheltenham audience, I surmise that I'm probably not alone in having never scaled a mountain or lived in the wilderness.

But that's before Fiona Thornewill, the fastest person ever to trek to the South Pole, takes to the stage dressed in killer heels, a glamorous fur waistcoat and beautifully groomed hair and makeup. Her companion for the morning, Festival Explorer-in-Residence Dominic Faulkner, fits in pretty well to the Cheltenham scene too, with chinos, open necked shirt and blazer. So appearances can clearly be deceptive.

Despite the incredible feats they are discussing today; a solo polar expedition and an epic climb of Everest (starting at the very bottom, 5000 miles away at the Dead Sea) both seem incredibly 'normal' and even self deprecating when needed. Fiona describes one teacher's assessment of her as interested in nothing but, "boys, makeup and parties" and Dominic admits that he did comparatively little preparation for his epic climb, laughing that, “you can peak too soon”.

Joking aside though, there’s no mistaking how determined they are. Both are keen to point out that they feel privileged but not 'lucky; to have seen and done what they have and that they've worked fantastically hard to make it happen.

Their stories are unbelievably inspiring, and all the more so for being told not through the glossy medium of television, but by someone sitting in front of you. When Fiona describes crossing a bottomless pit of a crevasse on a narrow snow bridge, or Dominic talks about how the death of a fellow climber gave life and adventure a new perspective for him, the audience are gripped.

The talk ends by discussing whether it matters that there are seemingly so few “firsts” left to do in the world of exploration. Dominic sums it up: he’d been obsessed with being the first to do the ‘longest climb’ but that the experience itself, and the perspective he gained from it, made him realise how naïve that was. What he thinks is important is getting out there and doing it and belives it's unexplored until you've seen it for yourself.

Inspiring stuff.

Laura Brand
Membership Scheme Manager

Review: Great British Railway Journeys

2011-10-11T15:20:00.000+01:00

Digital Marketing Manager, David Drakeley reviews L098 Michal Portillo: Great British Railway Journeys from this past Sunday afternoon.

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of trains and I’ve never seen a complete episode of Great British Railway Journeys but the chance to see such an infamous and polished speaker as Michael Portillo in the magnificent setting of Cheltenham’s historic Town Hall certainly appeals to me, so I and several hundred other audience members take our seats for event L098 in anticipation.

Portillo is introduced by Donna Renney, Chief Executive of Cheltenham Festivals to warm round of applause. He wears no tie and leaves his jacket at the side of the stage; clearly it is a Sunday afternoon.

The talk begins with a self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek look back at his political career, touching on how he lost his Parliamentary seat in 1997, numerous political gaffs, MP expenses and destroying concrete paths as a young, canvasing candidate. Portillo is charming and funny and quickly endears himself to the audience.

He discusses the influence of his father, a refugee of the Spanish Civil War, and how, after leaving office, he was approached by a television company to present ‘Great Railway Journeys,’ where Portillo documented the story of his father’s life across Spain. A decade later, he is approached to present the BBC series ‘Great British Railway Journeys,’ travelling the country’s rail network led by George Bradshaw’s famed railway tourism guide circa 1860.

The next 40 minutes are filled with nostalgic stories of steam engines, sleepy village railway stations and quaint seaside towns. Portillo is passionate and knowledgeable and tells his stories with great optimism.

The event ends with a selection of questions from the audience and a final round of applause before Portillo leaves the stage. Controversial it isn’t, but given the romantic imagery and overt British-ness of the subject, I’m left pleasantly surprised and feeling rather cheerful for a Sunday afternoon. All I need now is a pot of tea and Last of the Summer Wine and I’ll almost be ready for Monday morning...

David Drakeley
Digital Marketing Manager

Festival Challenge: Downton Abbey

2011-10-10T13:01:00.000+01:00

"Something you love, something you're interested in, something you've never heard of"

Day Three - Downton Abbey

It's the turn today of something that I (and millions of others) love: Downton Abbey.

It's my first time in the Forum, our new 1600 seat venue, which is packed with a real mix of people: men and women, young and old, all of whom must be home by 9 o'clock for tonight's instalment.

With so many devoted fans in one place the anticipation's high, and there's warm applause to greet the panel: producer Gareth Neame, "The World of Downton Abbey" author Jessica Fellowes, creator Julian Fellowes and (swoon) actor Dan Stevens. As ever, it's slightly bizarre to finally see the face of a voice I know so well from BBC Radio 4's Front Row, Mark Lawson, who's chairing tonight's event.

The audience already know the story and the characters inside out, but the event gives something new: an insight into the structure, ("we keep things deliberately fast-paced") the writing technique, (Julian Fellowes looks aghast when asked if he plots with charts, graphs or arrows), and how unlikely it was that the show should ever have been made in the first place, having been commissioned in 2008 on an "odd network and an unfashionable subject".

There are some brilliant insights into the storylines too, as Julian reveals that one of the series' most outlandish episodes, the death of dashing house guest Mr Pamuk, (whose body is hurriedly dragged back to his bedroom in the middle of the night by three female characters in a desperate attempt to avoid a scandal) is based entirely on fact and was discovered in a friend's great aunt's diary of a real-life 1880s house-party.

The panel quickly fall to discussing the question that's debated in the papers almost every day: how to account for the phenomenal success of the show. Not since "The Jewel In the Crown" do they believe has a show infected the public consciousness so greatly, and it's even spawned a Private Eye column, "Downturn Abbey", which actor Dan Stevens confesses to having framed on his wall. Producer Gareth Neame says it's the first period drama he's seen that he's really believed in, but all agree it's impossible to truly account for the way it caught the mood.

They won't be drawn on whether there'll be a third series or not, but seem to suggest that the 1920s would be an ideal setting for further episodes. And with a Christmas special to come, there's plenty still to look forward to.

Laura Brand
Membership Scheme Manager

Guest Review: Gail Jones on L033 The Spanish Civil War

2011-10-09T11:29:00.000+01:00

Festival Writer-in-Residence, Gail Jones discusses L033 The Spanish Civil War, an event focusing on the historical significance and cultural afterlife of the War on the 75th Anniversary of it's beginning.

“Nothing is uncontentious” announced Valentine Cunningham, speaking on the haunted cultural afterlife in Britain of the Spanish Civil War, now in its 75th anniversary year. Appearing with DJ Taylor, novelist, critic and biographer of Orwell, each discussed with lively, indeed, wholly materialist
engagement the ‘ghostly’ versions of the War in cultural memory – chiefly as it exists in elegies, monuments, fiction and memoir. It was a session dense with heterogeneous cultural references and reminders of the disputation around canonical literary works, of which Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia is the paradigm case. Much recollection, it was suggested, was both grief stricken and guilty; many memoirs were delayed and complicated by political confusion; there still exist forms of heroic identification and factionalized quarrels which intercept the production and reception of Civil War literature.

It is a joy of writers’ festivals that experts are allowed, and indeed encouraged, to engage in virtuosic excursiveness. In a wonderful moment, warming to the theme of displaced responses by British poets to the Spanish Civil War, DJ Taylor cited the punk rock band, The Clash, and their song “Spanish Bombs” in which the lead singer invokes the mayhem of the war when he is in a nightclub in Spain in 1975. Likewise, Pan’s Labyrinth was cited as an important revisionist allegory of the contestation of nationalist fascism.

Two weeks ago I appeared at the Hay Segovia festival and was keen to ask writers in Spain about the exhumation of the remains of Federico Garcia Lorca. Most I spoke to simply evaded the question. It is Lorca’s murder, Cunningham claims, that signifies symbolically the regime’s intolerance for art; the controversy over mass graves is the ghastly and material reminder – like the passage of the bullet through Orwell’s throat - of repressed and difficult narratives not yet fully visible.

Gail Jones will be appearing in L270 Writers-in-Residence, this Thursday at 8.45pm. Find out more here.

Festival Challenge: The Book Show

2011-10-08T13:53:00.000+01:00

"Something you love, something you're interested in, something you've never heard of"

Day Two - Sky Arts Book Show

I'm no stranger to TV but I've never been part of a studio audience before, so it's a novelty to make my way past cameras, crew and tv screens to take my place at today's Book Show which will be screened on Sky Arts later this month.

The set's a classic library, with a twist; old-fashioned typewriters and vintage style sofas are paired with funky chandeliers and stacks of stacks of books (naturally), many of which I recognise from my own shelves at home. Even the walls are papered in pages of books.

As we practice applauding and watch the jib camera swinging over us, the panel come onto the stage: presenter Mariella Frostrup, comedian and clinical psychologist Pamela Stephenson-Connolly (wearing the most incredible pair of stiletto heels), broadcaster and journalist Joan Bakewell and founder of Hip Hop Shakespeare, Akala. Many of the audience will have bought tickets without even knowing the late-confirmed lineup, and it's great just to be a part of it.

From my seat I can see Mariella's autocue, but it's purely for introductions - the conversation runs seamlessly and (apparently) effortlessly as the panel discuss their writing, their guilty pleasures and the place of literature today. The calm on stage is countered by the crew, intensely watching from the sidelines and ready to run on to fix a microphone or touch up makeup whenever it's needed.

We quickly forget anything that might be taking place off stage though, as the conversation on it is so entertaining. Last to be interviewed is Akala from Hip Hop Shakespeare, who quickly wins his audience over by asking them to identify whether a series of lyrics are the work of a hip hop artist or the bard himself. It sounds simple, but when most of the panel (and this member of the audience) incorrectly attribute a line from an Eminem song to Shakespeare, he's more than made his point.

The hour quickly passes, and we finish by watching the credits roll by on a nearby tv screen, superimposed over the set that's laid out before us. The good news? There's still chance to catch two shows tomorrow, with two fantastic new line-ups. Find full details here.

Laura Brand

Membership Scheme Manager

Guest Blog: Witi Ihimaera

2011-10-08T12:13:00.000+01:00

We caught up with prominent Maori writer and Festival Writer-in-Residence, Witi Ihimaera to get his thoughts on the Festival and hear about his journey from New Zealand to be with us...

People told me before I left New Zealand that the Times Cheltenham Literature Festival was the mother of all book celebrations so, of course, when I received the invitation to come I couldn't decline as it was like getting an invitation from the Queen. Apart from which New Zealand and Australia across the ditch from us (as we call the Tasman Sea) are the focus countries this year and although I feel a little bit ganged up on - there's three of them and only one of me, well, as Ann Landers famously said, "Things are always darkest before they become totally black."

So here I am in Cheltenham, having flown from the bottom of the world, after a thirty hour flight including stopover in Hong Kong. Warm and sympathetic hospitality was awaiting me, however, in the person of Jane Moore who picked me up for the two hour drive "into the West."

I am really impressed with the volunteer framework at the festival, and the hands on approach of everyone from Board members to executive staff like Nicola Tuxworth - and even the guys who make coffee in the writers' lounge are friendly and fun. One of them gave me a quick lesson on making coffee Cheltenham style, so we were soon chatting away and I was able to be the proud Daddy and tell him all about my daughter Olivia who runs Supreme, the best coffee company in New Zealand.

The accommodation I have been given is top drawer. I am staying at The Queen's Cheltenham, in a beautiful corner room overlooking Imperial Square. I feel like the Emissary of Aotearoa and I have a lovely view of everyone hastening to all the book events at the Square or in Montpellier Gardens. But I blush to admit that my first task on arriving was to find a local pub where other rugby enthusiasts gather to watch the Rugby World Cup on a big television screen over a pint. Go the All Blacks!

So is the Times Cheltenham the Mother of all literary festivals? It certainly must be: the catalogue itself is 90 pages packed cover to cover with a mind boggling programme of events that ranges not only across all genres of literature but also music, wine and good food. Its fun to read as well, with a great section aimed at Families and Young Readers, featuring covers of interesting books, one of which I am definitely picking up for my grandson called "On Your Farts: Get Set, Go! And there are so many book clubs to augment the pleasure of your experiences at the Festival!

Today was the first day of the Festival and I joined the throng at "The Language Wars", listening enthralled to Henry Hitchings, then at "Footprints" with travel writers Colin Thubron, Benedict Allen and Sara Wheeler, and topped up a really terrific day listening to Christopher Ondaatje talking about his new book, "The Last Colonial." I loved the incidental conversations I had with others attending, and I realized that as a professional writer one doesn't often get the chance to be anonymous and to join others as listeners rather than as participant. The delight of discovery and the pleasure of being introduced to new kinds of books and new worlds of ideas is intoxicating.

But I'm off now to a party where I shall toast the Festival with a good glass of wine. As the Lindeman Wine and Book Club asks in a clever advertisement in the catalogue, "Read or White?"

Witi Ihimaera

Festival Writer-in-Residence

Festival Challenge - The First Review...

2011-10-07T14:58:00.000+01:00

"Something you love, something you're interested in, something you've never heard of"

Day One - Edward Burne-Jones

"It's not a case of false modesty if I say I'm appalling at art, and much to the relief of my teachers, I dropped the subject at school as soon as I could.

But like a lot of people, I enjoy going to art galleries and collections, even if I know little about what I'm seeing. So I'm pleased when this event on Victorian artist Burne Jones is today's random choice, and I'm hoping it will give me an insight into his art.

It certainly does - the talk's well prepared and features masses of images of his paintings and famous stained glass, as well as more intimate cartoons. But what I wasn't expecting was such an insight into the art of biography writing from author Fiona MacCarthy; the six years that went in to the making of this book, the travels across Britain, Italy and 40 different churches and the grateful admission that, "I never wished I was doing a different subject: that's the worst thing that can happen to a biographer after two years of research!"

It turns out there's more to interest me in this talk than I might have first expected - Burne Jones was at the centre of social and intellectual life of the Victorian period, and counted Henry James and Oscar Wilde amongst his friends and was uncle by marriage to both Stanley Baldwin and Rudyard Kipling. The insights into his private life provoke a hum of gentle laughter across the hall, and the identification of his muse and lover in some of his most famous works certainly adds a new dimension.

The talk ends on the promise that no one is far from a stained glass window of Burne Jones' (a quick google search reveals there's one in Cheltenham's All Saints church) and I'll certainly appreciate the next one I see."

Laura Brand

Membership Scheme Manager

Festival Challenge

2011-10-07T13:18:00.000+01:00

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2011 begins today and we have a challenge from our Membership Team to help you get the most out of this year's Festival...

“Go to something you love, something that looks interesting and something you’ve never heard of before”

That’s the tip from one of our Members for a perfect Lit Fest, and whilst I’m already set to go to things I love (Downton Abbey) and that look interesting (well, there’s been a lot about Wallis Simpson this year), I’ve not yet booked in to things I’ve never heard of.

With up to 50 events a day, what happens if you take a chance with a random event for an hour? That’s what I’ll be doing, throughout the Festival. Armed with a brochure, a blindfold and a pin (well, almost) I’ll be discovering the Festival’s hidden gems…

What have you discovered at the Festival? Tweet, send us your reviews…

Laura Brand

Membership Scheme Manager

Books about town...

2011-10-03T16:29:00.000+01:00

The sun is shining and the Festival starts on Friday. What better way to celebrate than with our second Bonne Maman Big Read Book Drop?!

We've just left ten copies of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 out and about in Cheltenham. It's all part of the Bonne Maman Big Read - so if you find a copy start reading, sharing and enjoying - and tell us all about it over on Facebook and Twitter.

All ten copies are 'hiding' around the Festival Quarter in Imperial Gardens and Montpellier Gardens. Here's a few clues to help you on your way...

You can find out more about how to get involved with the Bonne Maman Big Read over on the Festival website

Five minutes with... Natalie Haynes

2011-09-28T11:14:00.000+01:00

Festival Manager Charles Haynes caught up with his namesake, comedian and author Natalie Haynes, for a chat about all things classical, and what we can look forward to at the festival...

Comedian and author

Natalie Haynes

Charles: One of your events at Cheltenham this year is in the style of the Radio 4 programme 'I've Never Seen Star Wars' called 'I've Never Read…'. You're a classicist at heart, so which classical author do you think goes unread and why?

Natalie: I think plenty of Classical authors go unread, even by me. Can't pretend I've ever ploughed through Statius for more than about a page. But authors I wish people read more of: ancient comedians. Especially Juvenal, who wrote satires (or, more probably 'scurrae' - rants) during the reign of the emperor Domitian. Juvenal is the earliest stand-up comedian we know of - read his satires (the Penguin translation is very good) and you can see all the techniques stand-ups still use today - rule of three, bathos, alliteration, hyperbole, litotes, the lot. He is, I should warn you sexist, racist, homophobic and generally a dreadful person. But try to forgive him these sins, as he is immensely, scabrously funny, and pre-dates political correctness by about 1900 years, so deserves a little latitude. He is also so vile about dinner parties, rich people, the banes of city living and more that he feels painfully current.

Charles: Do you think that Juvenal has informed your own modern sense of humour?
Natalie: Oh sure. I owe it all to Juvenal. Actually, that might be true, even if I am more socially liberal than Juvenal. But Juvenal has the perfect comedian's perspective: he is always an outsider, watching society function (not always in a way he appreciates), and criticising it. He is observational, like most stand-up now, with a tendency to go for exaggeration to drive the laugh from the observation. He also uses a tactic I loved to use when I was doing stand-up - setting up a situation which seems funny, and then suddenly turning serious. He does a brilliant one on the perils of poor housing in Rome - he talks about how the tenant at the top is protected from the weather only by roof tiles. Then he starts worrying about fires, and how they always begin at the ground level, and the lower-dwelling (richer) tenants are getting their stuff out of the building before the guy at the top even knows he's in danger. Suddenly, says Juvenal, you're on fire, but tu nescis - you don't know it. It's a really shocking jolt - I never get tired of seeing comedians mix humour and seriousness.

Charles: If Juvenal was around today, what kind of event do you think he'd be doing at Cheltenham this year?
Natalie: Juvenal at Cheltenham? Are you trying to get sacked? Well, ok, if you insist. Juvenal would have no fun at Cheltenham. Very tricky to work out who he could hang out with without getting into trouble. His first satire is all about how it is harder not to write satire given how awful everything is. And the very worst thing he can think of? Poets reciting their work at him. So let's count him out of a performance poetry event. And then there's his relationship with other (non-poet) writers. Juvenal puts his words into a friend's mouth in one satire. His friend explains that one reason why he's so unpopular in Rome is that he can't ever bring himself to be nice about his patron's awful books. 'I never learnt how to lie,' says Umbricius. 'If a book is bad, I can't praise it and ask for a copy.' Definitely ill-prepared for dealing with other neurotic writers…

Charles: If you could go back to Ancient Rome , what do you think you'd be doing?

Natalie: If I could go back in time to Ancient Rome, I hope against hope that I am rich there. Being poor at pretty much any point in history really sucks, I'd like to be a wayward daughter of a senator, I think (exactly the kind of woman Juvenal hates so much in Satire 6, actually, for being over-educated, low-moraled and dreadful). I imagine I would read lots of Euripides and Aristophanes and Plato, having been taught to read Greek by some handsome tutor, and scandalise the neighbours. I would skip the Games (don't fancy all those gladiator battles and wild animal hunts), and I would holiday in Baiae. I might also solve the odd crime, since that always looks fun in historical novels.

Charles: Ultimately, which do you think is stronger, tragedy or comedy?

Natalie: Tragedy is stronger. I love comedy, made my living at it for a decade (and still can't resist a cheap gag now), but my heart is with tragedy. I think there's a reason why Greek tragedy is performed so often even now, 2500 years after it was written. It's because it speaks to universal truths about people. Comedy is often dependent on a working knowledge of the butts of jokes for them to be funny (imagine trying to explain a joke about David Cameron, say, to someone who didn't know who was the Prime Minister of the UK. Or, harder still, who didn't care). Comedy like Juvenal, which is a furious lament about the state of the world he lived in, travels through time a little better (he could be Tony Hancock speaking sometimes, or indeed Bill Hicks). But tragedy needs no context - we all understand why Oedipus' story is a terrible one.

Find out more about Natalie's events in Cheltenham on the festival website
Natalie's newest book, The Ancient Guide To Modern Life, published by Profile Books, is available now. Find out more on Natalie's website

Guest Blog: Anjum Anand

2011-09-21T13:25:00.000+01:00

We're welcoming five very different, but equally fantastic, Guest Directors to the Festival this year. We asked food writer Anjum Anand, to tell us what it's like to be appointed 'head chef' of the Literature Festival and what we can expect from her series of mouth-watering events...

Guest Director Anjum Anand

I was immensely flattered when I was asked to be a guest-director for this year’s Cheltenham festival but my delight began to morph into panic and anxiety when I realised that I needed to put together my ideas for five really stimulating events that could match those of my fellow directors. I feared that where my passions lie: food, the home, health and the cultural heritage of cooking, may not be natural territories for discussion at such a prestigious literary festival. It took a while and many brainstorming sessions with anyone who was indulgent enough to listen to me throwing ideas into the air and then watch them fall into a chaotic disorganised mess. But finally, some of these thoughts formed heaps which eventually took forms and life and became the basis for the panels and discussions that have been organised at the festival.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of putting together these panels and bringing together individuals whom I admire to voice their own opinions about food, cooking, family heritage and food and health and am much looking forward to October. It will also be fun to have the opportunity to cook whilst being interviewed by Nikki Beddi who has to be one of the bubbliest people to be interviewed by and I always feel like I am having a fun and frank conversation with an old friend, almost forgetting others are listening. I’m also delighted to hear that, for the first time, there is going to be a Food Court at the festival showcasing local produce and I look forward to sampling a lot of that.

Anjum Anand

Guest Director

You can find out more about our Bitesize series and all of Anjum's events over at the Festival website

And plan your own mouth watering adventure in the brand new FeastFest Food Hall

And so it begins...

2011-09-20T13:32:00.000+01:00

After months of planning, measuring and imagining the build of the brand new Festival Quarter in Montpellier Gardens has started today. The hard hats are on and it's already taking shape.

We'll be finding out lots more about the creation of the Festival Quarter over the next two weeks - but for the time being, here's a sneak preview of The Forum, our brand new 1500 seat venue, already looking distinctly tent-like...

The bare bones of The Forum are put in place

Read all about it...

2011-09-19T17:17:00.000+01:00

The brand-spanking-new Literature Festival newspaper Inklings is out today. It's jam-packed with details about the Festival, interviews with some of our speakers, a fun children’s section, and a chance to win a luxury hotel stay.

Copies will be popping up all over town - look out for them in Waterstone's and the Tourist Information Centre for starters - but if you just can't wait to get your hands on a hard copy, you can have a virtual browse right here...

Open publication

Inklings follows hot on the heels of the Jazz Bugle back in April and the Science Enquirer in June - both huge hits with festival fans.

Happy reading!

The glamorous world of arts marketing...

2011-09-16T15:15:00.000+01:00

Our Marketing Exec Candice Pearson took to the airwaves yesterday to talk about our Big Book Drop. The only problem was finding an interview friendly spot in our increasingly full offices...

Candice gets ready for her

big moment.. under a desk

As anyone who has read the full brochure from cover to cover knows, the Literature Festival is huge. With more then 500 events from over 600 speakers, I’m sure you can imagine how much work goes into organising this epic festival.

Festival HQ gets flooded with incredibly hardworking volunteers and desk space suddenly becomes the most valuable commodity. In fact, people are almost afraid to go out for lunch, just in case they come back and find their desk commandeered.

Fear of desk requisition aside, there’s an amazing atmosphere in the office at the moment. Books are stacked high in every available corner and everyone is focused on delivering the best Festival yet.

Anyway, this is how I came to be doing a radio interview sat under a desk… Ah, the glamorous world of arts marketing!

BBC Radio Gloucestershire called to talk about our book giveaway (see last blog), which proved incredibly popular. To hear the full interview, including details about our next book drop, in the clip below…

Big Read Book drop interview - BBC Radio Glos #cheltlitfest by Cheltenham Festivals

We're planning our next Big Book Drop soon, so do join us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest.

Candice Pearson
Marketing Executive

The BBC Radio Gloucestershire team will be with us on site broadcasting live from the Festival - you can keep up to date with their plans over at www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire

On your marks, get set, go!

2011-09-14T13:44:00.000+01:00

The Festival is only weeks away - so as a special treat to whet your literary appetites, we've just released 50 copies of Joseph Heller's classic Catch-22 into central Cheltenham!

Polly and Candice get ready

for the drop...

It's all part of the Bonne Maman Big Read and our mission to get as many people as possible reading this amazing book. We took to the streets this morning and have hidden the books all around town - some are really obvious, some are a little more obscure. So if you find a copy take it home, read it, love it and share it with friends.

All we ask is that you let us know where you found it, and maybe keep us up to date with your reading. You can let us know by commenting on this blog, or joining us over on Facebook or Twitter ...

To help you with your quest to catch Catch-22 here are a few shots of the books out on the town....

Happy hunting book fans!

Amy Hulyer
Press & PR Manager

You can find out all about the Bonne Maman Big Read over on the Cheltenham Festivals website

25 days to go: The anticipation grows...

2011-09-12T16:54:00.000+01:00

As the anticipation grows here at Festival HQ, Festival Co-ordinator Nicola Tuxworth tells us why putting on the lit fest really is a full time job...

Walking through Montpellier Gardens last week the wind was rattling the trees and dislodging the first leaves of the Autumn. I realised with a lurch in the pit of my stomach that the template for the wonderful new Festival Quarter site is being pegged out in white tape, and that we really are into the final countdown.

The office is overflowing
with piles of books....

Here at Lit Fest HQ the days and weeks seem to be rushing inexorably on to the great moment when we assemble excitedly (and rather apprehensively) for the first 8.30am briefing of the Festival on Friday 7th October. There will be almost 100 people in the room, the core team, the event managers, the production staff and over 60 wonderful volunteers, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and raring to go, who sign up to work nine fourteen hour days unpaid, and without whom the Festival simply wouldn’t happen.

In the meantime, the nerve-wracking period of signing off the brochure and seeing the tickets go on sale has given way to a vast amount of administrative heavy lifting as all the detailed planning that can only happen once the programme is finalised is put into place.

Piles of beautiful, pristine books are arriving from publishers daily, often hot off the press, and sometimes still in proof form. In every corner of the office bookshelves are stacked three rows deep with these treasures, begging to be opened and perused if only any of us had the time! Isabella, from of our indispensable team of three interns is charged with the mammoth task of ensuring that each book gets to the person who needs it for his or her event.

Now that our able and experienced chairpeople have all been signed up, they are busy working with participants to shape “their” events in the most stimulating and thought-provoking way for our knowledgeable Cheltenham audiences. It is a privilege to be copied in on this email traffic, and witness animated (even heated) digital debate on the all-time greatest literary deathbed scenes, the most influential Edwardians or what part of Virgil’s Aeneid would be the most fun to translate on stage.

Signed contracts are pouring back into the office, along with the technical requirements, travel arrangements, ticket requests and accommodation needs of over 600 participants. All of this information needs to be entered onto our amazing Artifax software system, which will generate the Festival daysheets - the essential who, when, where and what of the Festival hour-by-hour.

Often the contracts are accompanied by hand-written notes from authors kindly praising the programme or wishing us all good luck. A very distinguished author writes in immaculate copperplate to politely request a hotel room as near as possible to the Festival site. A food historian emails to request access to a freezer and a large amount of ice. A well-known broadcaster phones to find out if he can bring his dog to the Festival.

One participant has simply scrawled CAN’T WAIT! in exuberant black felt pen across the top of her contract. And in truth, neither can we. See you there!

Nicola Tuxworth
Festival Co-ordinator

Who will take the Man Booker biscuit?

2011-09-06T17:34:00.000+01:00

The literary world is buzzing with speculation following today's announcement of the Man Booker 2011 shortlist. Here at Festival HQ, the team are already debating the relative merits of each work - and bets (in the shape of home-baked biscuits) are being feverishly placed. Festival Manager Christin Stein gets under the covers of the six titles making the shortlist.

The debate is on:

the six titles making the

Man Booker 2011 shortlist

The Booker is always good for a shocker – for me out with the old, in with the new seems to be what this year’s shortlist is all about…

My favourite cover vote is with The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt, with its wonderfully dark, black and red design. Not to forget the story’s very intriguing premise of two brothers hired as killers during the Gold Rush on the American West coast – sounds like something the Coen brothers could put on film and a book I certainly can’t wait to get stuck in.

At the other end of the geographical scale, Mother Russia definitely is ready for the literary spotlight. I just read the thrilling Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith, who will share the platform at the Festival with the now Booker shortlisted author A D Miller. Needless to say that his Snowdrops is at the top of my reading pile!

To take a literary journey through the 19th century I think Jamrach’s Menagerie by Carol Birch is a great read, as young Jaffy Brown finds himself aboard a ship to the Dutch East Indies from London. An epic novel in every way, and I found it particularly enthralling to read while on the road.

In the category of intriguing characters, Esi Edugyan, Canadian author of Half Blood Blues, for me created the frontrunner – naming him Hieronymous Falk and making him a jazz trumpeter is too good a combination to dismiss. I can’t wait to make his acquaintance on the page.

A few months back I was delighted to read advance copies of Sarah Winman’s wonderful When God Was a Rabbit and Stephen Kelman’s mesmerizing Pigeon English – and it is great that they will be joining the Festival to discuss their books. Celebrating a debut novel, as the Booker judges chose to do for Stephen Kelman, is incredibly encouraging to see, especially for all the UK writing talent out there.

Personally I was very pleased with the inclusion of The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. I remember seeing him in an event at the Festival a few years back and he was just magnificent. If the bookies are right his Booker luck might turn this year and he could walk away with the prize on the night…

Luckily enough Festival goers will have the chance to see a selection of the short listed authors discuss their work with Man Booker Prize Literary Director Ion Trewin in an event on Saturday 15 October – just three days before the final winning announcement with plenty of excitement still in the air!

For now it’s congratulations to the short listed authors – and no matter who will be lucky on the night, I think the true winner will be fiction. Readers will enjoy the debate of controversial choices, grave omissions, clear frontrunners, and most importantly some cracking good writing.

Christin Stein

Festival Manager

Join Ion Trewin and some of the shortlisted authors live at the Festival to discuss and debate the prize in our special Man Booker Prize Shortlist Event

And find out more about all the titles and authors on the Man Booker Prize website

Ode to Autumn

2011-09-05T17:47:00.000+01:00

With the Literature Festival just weeks away, our PR Manager Amy Hulyer tells us why it's the perfect time of year for a literary celebration.

Our Festival flags basking
in Autumnal sun

The kitchen here at Festival HQ is overflowing with goodies from colleagues returning from exotic summer holidays, a brand new school year has begun, and I have just tripped over the first conker of the season on the way out for lunch. All of this can mean only one thing – we’re on the cusp of Autumn.

Now, I know I’m in the minority here, but I absolutely LOVE Autumn. It’s the season of brand new pencil cases and crisp leaves underfoot, of snuggly jumpers and knee high boots, of warm golden light and cosy nights in. It’s always been my favourite time of the year, and these days I have one even bigger reason to love it – it means the Literature Festival can’t be far away.

As the season changes signs of the festival are suddenly everywhere. After months of embargoed programmes and whispered confirmations of the latest names to join the line-up, our full programme has now been released into the world and our festival speakers are popping up everywhere. In the last few days alone Jonathan Ross, Jarvis Cocker, Alistair Darling, David Walliams and Larry Lamb have all been making the headlines, and the first tantalising glimpses of Downton Abbey and Strictly Come Dancing are creeping onto our screens.

In just five weeks time the festival will be in full swing. The writers’ room will be buzzing, the Carte Noire coffee will be free-flowing, and I dread to think how many Bonne Maman delicacies I will have already devoured. The next few weeks will be full of terrifying and thrilling moments in equal measure but I absolutely can't wait. The crisp days of October remain the highlight of my year.

Now, where's my coat...

Amy Hulyer
Press and PR Manager

On the Radio... again!

2011-09-05T11:21:00.000+01:00

Back in August, Helen from our Marketing team made her way to Manchester to spend a day in the recording studios where she made the finishing touches to our very first Literature Festival radio adverts.

The adverts are now running on Classic FM and Heart... or click below for a sneak preview.

2011 Literature Festival Radio advert by Cheltenham Festivals

On the Radio...

2011-09-02T11:25:00.000+01:00

Earlier in the week our Chief Executive Donna Renney took over the BBC Radio Gloucestershire studios for an hour long feature about all things festival with presenter Chris Baxter.

You can catch the full interview on the BBC iPlayer now - just click the image on the left, and listen from 1hour 30minutes in.

If you have any questions for Donna and the rest of the team here at Festival HQ, just add a comment to this blog.

Happy listening!

You can listen live and find out lots more about the brilliant work of BBC Radio Gloucestershire over at the BBC Gloucestershire site.

Into the archives

2011-08-18T10:44:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, our Marketing Executive Candice Pearson set out on her own journey of discovery. Her quest for an ancient recording of Joseph Heller in Cheltenham took her deep into the festival archives...

The irreplacable Heller tapes

Searching the archives is always an experience; be it frustrating, disappointing or elating.

Our archive is located in the deepest darkest corner of Town Hall’s warren-like basement. It’s stacked high with posters and programmes and, most interestingly, thousands of recordings of past events, many of which were done by eminent authors who are no longer with us.

I was looking for recordings of Catch-22 author Joseph Heller, who first appeared at Cheltenham in 1962. He later appeared in 1993 and then 1999, just two months before his death.

The cassette tapes (remember those?) proved surprisingly easy to find, getting a tape player to listen to them however was not so simple. Pressing the clunky rewind and fast forward buttons, I was seized by a forgotten fear: what if the tape got chewed? These tapes are literally irreplaceable.

Listening to Heller’s thick Brooklyn accent ringing out from Cheltenham’s past seems almost magical, and formatting these recordings so everyone can share the experience is now on our to-do list. Keep an eye on The Bonne Maman Big Read page for uploads.

After listening to Heller, I moved on to an interview with another solider, inspiring amputee Guy Disney. He will be at this year’s Festival with fellow wounded soldiers, talking about their recent unaided trek to the North Pole. (You may have seen coverage on television, particularly when Prince Harry joined them for a few days).

Coincidentally Guy is an old school friend of mine and so it was with added awe that I wrote about his astounding achievments. People show extraordinary courage and tenacity everyday, but when it is someone you remember from school, their feats are all the more astonishing. I look forward to hearing from his comrades at the Festival.

Candice Pearson
Marketing Executive

New Kid on the Blog

2011-08-12T16:46:00.000+01:00

What's it like to be the new boy on the festival block? The latest member of the team, Charles Haynes, tells all about his first five days working on the world's oldest literature festival.

This year I’m the proverbial new kid on the literature festival team. Many of the others are dab-hands at this, some of them 6 or 7 years into a life stretch, but this year’s festival will be a fresh experience for me. Even still - I’m not the only one feeling the excitement leading up to the festival; it’s quite palpable in the office.

The more experienced team members regale me with tales of mid-festival camaraderie, half-shared sandwiches between events, favourite authors of years’ past and stories that start with the enigmatic ‘you should have been there…’.

Among all this talk of legendary festivals though, they say this year will be special. Old stories include bedraggled queuing in the rain; even older stories include long forgotten venues across town. This year though, we’re compact, we’re concise… we’re all covered-up. We’re in the festival quarter!

In a single, albeit large corner of Cheltenham we’re planning a literary paradise, and everyone’s invited. So, whether this is my first literature festival or my twenty-first, there’s a feeling that this may very well be the best.

The festival's just eight weeks away now, and I absolutely can't wait....

Charles Haynes
Festival Manager

The journey begins...

2011-08-10T11:42:00.000+01:00

We invited Cheltenham Festivals Members to join us yesterday for a very special event to launch the Literature programme. Membership Manager Laura Brand spills the beans...

We hosted a fantastic Director's Picks LIVE evening over at Cheltenham Waterstone's last night. Lots of Cheltenham Festivals members came along to meet Artistic Director Sarah Smyth and the Festival team to hear their insights, personal picks and recommendations from the programme. With a special late night opening of the Cheltenham store, and a glass of wine in hand, it was a book lover's dream!

All of our Members received an advance copy of the programme earlier this week, and it was great to find out what you're all looking forward to booking. Here are some of my favourite shots from the evening.

A private view in a bookshop - what could be better?!

Wine and nibbles were served...

Members met the team who put the programme together

Thanks everyone for coming to a brilliant night, and thank you to Waterstone's for looking after us so well. And my personal picks? I'll be indulging my English high-life obsession - Downton Abbey, Nancy Mitford and Wallis Simpson. I can't wait!

Laura Brand

Membership Manager

Director's Picks LIVE was a free event for Cheltenham Festivals Members – visit www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/membership to find out more and become a Member today.

Joy, Terror and Exhaustion…

2011-08-09T14:46:00.000+01:00

Behind the scenes with the Literature Festival Artistic Director Sarah Smyth as she sees the final Festival brochure for the very first time...

The Festival brochure

I have been asked to write 250 words on what it's like to open the brochure for the first time. Well that seems a simple enough brief. Something enthusiastic, a few words of reflection, an exhortation to read the brochure, enjoy it and join us at the Festival. Job done. But what does it really feel like?

When I started work in publishing one of my first jobs was to unpack and hand over the newly-minted books - sometimes into the hands of the authors themselves. The pride, elation and terror I feel as I open the first brochure always reminds me of the look on their faces as they held their own novel for the first time. I remember one day opening the package to find a book printed upside-down, another time finding one with entirely blank pages and - most memorably - with the author's name missed off the jacket entirely. Nothing like that has happened at the Festival - yet - but I still get an echo of that anxiety as I nurse the very first copy.

Opening the brochure marks a crossroads for us - the translation of all those events from the minds of those of us who've worked on them into a solid reality. The dawning realisation that the Festival will actually happen, that there’s no going back and the feeling of pride in what we've achieved so far. Every year someone always compares the arrival of the brochure to having a baby. Painful but worth it. And - just like having children - here at the Festival we seem genetically programmed to forget the joy, terror and exhaustion and in a years' time to want to do it all over again.

With best wishes,

Sarah Smyth

Artistic Director of The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival

The full programme for The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2011 is available to view and download online now.

Welcome to The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Blog 2011...

2011-08-04T19:45:00.000+01:00

Meet the organisers, share your views and get behind-the-scenes gossip

Check back soon for updates....

The Team @ Cheltenham Festivals