The full programme for The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2020 has been revealed – live streamed from Cheltenham for the first time in the history of the world’s oldest literature festival.
Described by organisers as a ‘pioneering’ hybrid festival, combining digital and in-person events, Cheltenham Literature Festival’s 2020 line-up includes great writers, thinkers, performers and new voices.
Taking place from Friday 2 to Sunday 11 October 2020, the festival will include over 160 events, with more than 100 broadcast live from Cheltenham Town Hall and the Everyman Theatre in front of a socially-distanced live audience.
Guest curated by Elif Shafak and Shamil Thakrar, some of the biggest names at Cheltenham Literature Festival this year include novelists Nick Hornby; DBC Pierre; Victoria Hislop; and Sebastian Faulks. Agony aunt Dolly Alderton; Gavin & Stacey creator Ruth Jones; and Hollywood actor Rupert Everett.
Lockdown internet sensation Andrew Cotter and his pet dogs Olive and Mabel; Ian Hislop; Claudia Winkleman; comedian Marcus Brigstocke; Ben Fogle; as well as brothers Richard Osman of Pointless fame and Suede bassist Mat Osman.
Plus, Caitlin Moran will be returning with More Than a Woman in an event officially sponsored by SoGlos.
New for 2020 will be ‘The Citizen’s Manifesto’, which organisers say aims to bring together young activists, politicians and key thinkers with the festival audience to shine a political, social, economic and cultural light on a year like no other, exploring the ways in which society could and should change in the wake of COVID-19.
These include events with author Bolu Babalola and social activist Florence Given; cultural commentators Pandora Sykes and Otegha Uwagba; as well as Candice Brathwaite, Jen Brister and Louise Pentland.
There will also be an action-packed family programme with highlights including Greg James and Chris Smith with their Kid Normal show; Tom Gates creator Liz Pichon; Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz; and A Boy, A Mole, A Fox and A Horse author and illustrator Charlie Macksey. Plus, interactive draw-alongs from the likes of world record breaking Rob Biddulph.
Plus, as well as live events in Cheltenham, there will also be a series of exclusive interviews with leading writers filmed at their homes around the world.
Tickets to attend Cheltenham Literature Festival 2020 in person are available to a limited socially-distanced audience, with tickets going on sale to Cheltenham Festivals gold members at 10am on Wednesday 16 September 2020; silver members on Friday 18 September 2020; bronze members on Monday 21 September 2020; and 16-25 members on Tuesday 22 September 2020 from cheltenhamfestivals.com.
Cheltenham Literature Festival 2020 live streamed events will be viewable free of charge by visiting cheltenhamfestivals.com.
For more information see Cheltenham Literature Festival.
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