History buffs of all ages are in for a treat this autumn 2024 with an exciting programme of speakers and all kinds of crafty activities planned for the inaugural Cirencester History Festival.
The brand-new festival brings together a range of local, national and global history experts for a series of around-town events from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November 2024, with a host of fringe activities also taking place to keep the whole family entertained, including crafts, cookery, storytelling, dressing up and lots more Halloween fun.
Organised by the Cirencester Community Development Trust (CCDT), the Cirencester Civic Society and the Corinium Museum, with support from a long list of local organisations and venues, the festival is the brainchild of the Corinium team along with organisers from Gloucester History Festival, with which the festival is associated.
Confirmed headliners so far include well-known history writers, professors and media personalities, who will appear at venues around town including the Church of St John the Baptist, The Barn Theatre, the Corinium Museum, Cirencester Library, New Brewery Arts and the Royal Agricultural University.
Presenter and author Jonathan Dimbleby is talking about his new book Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won The War at The Barn Theatre on 3 November 2024, relating the events of the 20th century to the current situation in Putin’s Russia and the upcoming US election.
On the same day, international bestselling comedian and classicist Natalie Haynes is at The Barn Theatre to deliver her ‘Divine Might’ stand-up show, revisiting the stories of the Greek goddesses 'in all their fearsome and powerful glory'.
And on Monday 28 October 2024, witch expert Ronald Hutton is giving a timely talk on the pagan roots of Halloween at the Corinium Museum.
Gloucester History Festival President Dr Janina Ramirez is also speaking on the festival's opening weekend.
The organising committee is 'delighted' Dame Fiona Reynolds — former director general of the National Trust and master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge — has agreed to serve as the festival's president.
Dame Fiona said: 'This festival is a true Cirencester collaboration, from headline talks to grassroots events. It is designed to celebrate history, and also to showcase the vibrant cultural organisations we are lucky to have in town, which will add a special character to the week’s events.
'We are putting together a terrific programme, reaching out to the curious of every age.
'We look forward to welcoming visitors to our beautiful town, to get together for plenty of good conversations and creativity to ensure history is shared and enjoyed by and for everyone.'
For more information and for tickets, which go on sale on Friday 6 September 2024, visit the Cirencester History Festival website.
