Swindon Festival of Literature comes of age

Following last May’s splendid seventeenth Festival plans are now well underway for the eighteenth Swindon Festival of Literature, which will run from 2nd - 14th May 2011.
 
This year’s Festival, like any hale and hearty eighteen year old, is planning to celebrate, explore, and enjoy life to the full, in mind, body, and spirit.
 
For example, it will kick off not only with its usual Dawn Chorus of mental and physical frolics, fun and the rising sun at 5.30am but will also offer a Bank Holiday Monday of all-round health-enhancing activities. There will be a run, a ride, and talks for runners, cyclists, and any Festival followers who like the idea of ministering to the health and well being of their mind and body.  Helping to make this a memorable first day of thought-provoking physical and mental activities will be cycling guru, enthusiast, and author Rob Penn, and veteran distance runner and writer Bruce Tulloh.
 
Among a host of other fascinating authors already booked to appear are writer and TV presenter Sally Magnusson, top, with her intriguing Life of Pee (yes, pee); comedian/broadcaster Harry Hill, and independently-minded politician and former BBC correspondent Martin Bell with his book A British Revolution, below, which takes a very close look at politicians and their expenses. There will also be authors speaking on world exploration, equality, women and men, ageing, and war. There will, of course be plenty of poetry and fiction too.
 
Festival organisers are deep in discussion with a number of other authors, not yet confirmed. These include TV funny man Harry Hill, heavy weight novelist Martin Amis, Kinks’ pop lyricist Ray Davies, droll funny woman Jo Brand, and all-round man of politics Alistair Campbell. Look out for confirmations in next month’s magazine. 
 
Of course, in true Swindon Festival of Literature tradition, it will not just be famous names that make this festival a high spot on Wiltshire’s cultural calendar.
 
Apart from big names, there will also be a good number of other big events!
 
During the 13 days of the Festival, described by John Carey as ‘terrific’, by Joan Bakewell as ‘delightful’, by John Major as ‘punctual’, by Jon Snow as ‘a real surprise’, and by Shaun B as ‘comparable to sex’, there will also be the now nationally-famous Swindon Performance Poetry Slam competition, the schools’ Youth Slam, a bookish weekend for Children & Families, the second-ever philosophical Think Slam, a cliff-hanging Swindon Speakers Short Stories competition, a Writing Workshop, the second Battered Moons Poetry competition, the oh-so-exciting Poems, Pints, & Music Finale, plus a wide range of literary talks, discussions, and readings at main theatres, arts venues, libraries, schools, pubs, parks, and even in an ex-cowshed, in Swindon!
 
Festival Director Matt Holland says “The Festival’s profile and reputation continue to grow. It has become a veritable festival of ideas. Each year it attracts new writers, terrific speakers, and a larger following. At every level, it has become a fantastic celebration for Swindon of things well written and things well said.”
 
He added, “It offers experiences for everyone that make life memorable. People of all ages and backgrounds have a very good time. They get together, meet authors, join in lively talk, explore new ideas, and even have a laugh. It is all very exciting!”
 
The 2011 Swindon Festival of Literature will be made possible by funding from Arts Council England, South West, whose support represents recognition of the good things that have been achieved in Literature development in Swindon.
 
Financial support is also provided by Dominic Winter Book Auctions; Swindon Borough Council’s Culture Swindon & Artswords; the Council’s Adult and Families Learning Project; Research Councils UK; and Lower Shaw Farm; plus valuable support and assistance from First Great Western, the Swindon Advertiser, Holland Handling Recycling, the Link Magazine, Acorn Press, Waterstone’s Bookshop, Friends of the Festival, as well as a host of other local organisations and individuals.
 
It is heartening that all these people see the value of a festival of Literature in Swindon!
 
The full-colour 36-page Festival programme will be unveiled at midday on Thursday 17th March 2011 at Swindon’s prize-winning Central Library.
 
To go on the Festival mailing list, or for further information,  telephone 01793 771080 or e-mail [email protected]
 
www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk