Cheltenham Literature Festival

Book lovers can rejoice as the world’s oldest literature festival is back this autumn, taking place from Friday 8 until Sunday 17 October 2021. The Cheltenham Literature Festival will be hosting a thrilling programme of unmissable events, and feature some of the globe’s foremost writers, thinkers, and performers.

Stars of the screen and stage at Cheltenham Lit Fest

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The red carpet will be rolled out for a host of world-class comedians, musicians, actors, directors, and national treasures as the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2021 have revealed a brilliant selection of icons of the stage and screen for this year’s literary celebration. Among these are Josh Widdicombe celebrating the TV shows that shaped his childhood; Jack Dee with some tongue-in-cheek problem solving; RuPaul’s Drag Race star Bimini Bon Boulash, giving a drag queen’s guide to life and a whole lot more including Joan Collins, Dawn French, and Ruby Wax.

Sports stars at Cheltenham Lit Fest

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For sports fans, gold-medal award winning Olympian Tom Daley will reveal the moments that have shaped him and the perspective that family life has brought, and undefeated professional and Olympic, humanitarian, and Vogue ‘Force for Change’ Ramla Ali will join writer-turned-power lifter Porna Bell to celebrate women’s strength and explore the relationship between the mental and the physical.

For football fans, the larger-than-life- Peter Schmeichel will look back on a world-leading career and his life playing the beautiful game, as well as England legend John Barnes, who will be sharing his powerful testimony on society’s ongoing battle with racism and prejudice in the sporting world.

Family events at Cheltenham Lit Fest

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The Festival village is the ideal setting for a family day out with a bumper programme of events, free activities, workshops, and story trails featuring the greatest storytellers and illustrators such as Michael Morpurgo, who is introducing his first new novel in two years and Festival favourite, Lenny Henry who is set to unveil his first book for children, inspiring a love of reading in children of all ages and stages.

Poets, musicians, and performers pop up across the programme with word-play maestro Jonny Fluffypunk bringing puppetry, story, song, and a healthy dose of ramshackle anarchy; Tongue Fu for Kids will showcase the power of poetry and music in the fight against climate change; Blue Peter award winning Gareth P Jones will be solving a mystery or two, as well as many other brilliant guests.

What’s more, The Literature for Schools programme, featuring Cheltenham Festival’s flagship education programme Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils, will also give thousands of school children the chance to meet their literary heroes.

First-class foodies at Cheltenham Lit Fest

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There will be a veritable feast of first-class foodies, tantalising tastebuds with flavours from around the world, including the much-loved Raymond Blanc with memories of a life spent in the kitchen; one of the nation’s most-loved chefs Ainsley Harriott; the award-winning Anna Jones will blaze the trail for quick, sustainable, and stylish snacks; and even Pen Vogler, the food historian who is set to reveal the fascinating history of British eating habits.

Grace Dent, Annie Gray, Giles Coren and Esther Walker are just a few to name who will also show their knowledge of food and the role it plays in bringing us together.

Other names to look out for at the Lit Fest 2021 include actor Evanna Lynch, TV presenter Matt Baker, Eileen Atkins, David Omand, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and many more.

Ticket bookings for Cheltenham Festivals members opens on Friday 3 September, followed by general booking on Friday 10 September 2021.

For more information see Cheltenham Literature Festival or visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature directly

By Zoe Gater

© SoGlos
Thursday 12 August 2021