The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival
The Times Cheltenham Literature festival is a fantastic hodgepodge of all things bookworms will adore. From writing workshops to kids fiction, if you worship novels, writing and poetry this is the spot for a chat, read and celebration. So after the amazing success of 2012 we are all eagerly awaiting the 2013 line up but here is a little something to get you in the mood.
Dates 4-13 October
This festival is not simply limited to books; so whether it is politics, television, art, radio, publishing or the theatre you’re interested in, Cheltenham has something everyone will enjoy.
Get involved in the controversial debates, take part in the interactive media rooms, try your hand at short stories in the workshops or have some family fun in the kids read section.
The Big Read
The Big Read is always a source of anticipation and considering the past novels this year has got stand up to the rest.
2012 Dr. No by Ian Fleming
2011 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
2010 Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
2009 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2008 Brideshead Revisited by Evalyn Waugh
So what does 2013 have for us then? I think great novels for debate would be The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and The Road by Cormac McCarthy, but we will have to wait and see.
This is one title for all novel addicts to read, enjoy, and discuss. Only started in 2007, the Big Read has been extolled by bookworms all over the country and grown bigger every year.
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Creative Writing
Why not take part in one of the many creative writing workshops throughout the festival period? The tutors are recognized for their high quality and the sessions form the nucleus of the festival. There are an extensive variety of courses; content, length and ability are all taken into consideration.
Book It!
This section of the festival is specifically aimed at kids and young adults and for those who developed a passion for reading early. There is a myriad of events that kids will love. At Party Time children have the opportunity to meet their favorite storybook characters; Peter Rabbit visited last year. Tots can team up and take part in the quests, quizzes and game shows with a host of prizes. Fantastic Fiction commends the best of young adult literature and has many talks, presentations and special author guests. Workshops are also designed with children in mind and young ones can enjoy screenwriting and comic book making to stage makeup practice.
Last year’s festival went with such an almighty bang that we can only wait on tenterhooks for this year’s line up. However there’s something we can be certain of; this year will gather book lovers from up and down the country in a splendid celebration of all things creative.
By Natalie Laurence
