The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival Free Programme 2023

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Free Activities for Families

There’s plenty of free activities to discover on site.

THEWOODWILD

Walk-about performances

Thomas Trilby

Look out for walkabout entertainer Thomas Trilby as he entertains with comedy and stunts.

Book Characters

Say hello to Baby Elephant, Cat in the Hat, Mog the Forgetful Cat and The Gruffalo.

Woodland Wisps

Step into an enchanted world of wonder, as our storytelling wisps share tales of potions, pixies and magical powers.

Secret Agents

Psst! You there! A top-secret mission is unfolding at this year’s Festival and our storytelling agents may require your assistance.

Arts and Crafts

Make and Take: Hats and Maps

Ages 4+

The Den

Drop into our make-and-take craft sessions and make yourself a tip-top Festival hat or concertina map book to take home and keep.

Story Shack

Mystery Trails Storytellers

Moomin Mail Trail

Ages 4+

Snufkin has gone on an adventure and left puzzles for his best friend Moomintroll around The Wild Wood. Can you help Moomintroll solve them?

Pick up your trail sheets from The Wild Wood Info Point.

Twitchers

Mystery Trail

Ages 8+

The Twitchers need your help to solve the case of the evil egg snatcher. Answer the clues to work out whodunnit.

Roll up to Story Shack for stories from around the world about animals, faraway places and creatures large and small.

Meet the author for short story sessions in the Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop. See full free programme from page 6 for more details

Waterstones

Family Book Quiz

Covered Picnic Area

What sort of creature is Smaug? Who wrote Matilda? Bring along your bookish brains for our Waterstones

Family Book Quiz, family fun and the chance to win prizes.

Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop

The Wild Wood Info Point

Paper Craft: Wands

and Windmills

Ages 4+

The Wild Wood Info Point

Create your own spinning windmill or magic wand with a vibrant selection of patterned papers and accessories.

The Den

Covered Picnic Area

Saturday 7 October

Story Shack

12–12.30pm

Introducing The Ice Children

Ages 8+

A sneak preview of our mystery author’s brand-new book, The Ice Children. Discover a fantastical world full of wonder and magical adventures.

1.30–1.50pm

Look out for walkabout

entertainer

Thomas Trilby

The Wild Wood

20 min story sessions at: 10am, 11.20am, 12.50pm, 2.10pm

Trickster Tales, Myths and Legends

Jump into African and Caribbean tales with storyteller Wendy Shearer

Dance the night away or climb to the moon and more as Wendy weaves her tales.

Interview with Cleopatra

Ages 8+

Andy Seed reveals the good, the bad, and the unexpected about past rulers and their attempts to find out about the future.

30 min sessions at: 11am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm

Secret Agents

Psst! You there! A top-secret mission is unfolding at this year’s Festival and our storytelling agents may require your assistance.

The Wild Wood Info Point

10am–4pm

10.40–11am

Interview with a Panda

Ages 5+

Meet animal interviewer and author Andy Seed with his incredible tranimalator device.

3.15–4pm

The Star Whale

Ages 7+

Celebrate our beautiful planet with poet Nicola Davies and illustrator Petr Horáček . Discover a pangolin at dusk, fly on a bat’s back and see how the wild reclaims the world in the urban night time.

Paper Craft: Wands and Windmills

The Den

10am–4pm

Make and Take: Hats and Maps

Covered Picnic Area

4–4.30pm

Waterstones

Family Book Quiz

Sunday 8 October

Story Shack

20 min story sessions at: 10am, 11.20am, 12.50pm, 2.10pm, 3.40pm

Trickster Tales, Myths and Legends

10.40–11am

Interview with a Shark

Ages 5+

Discover some fantastic facts about sharks and other ocean giants with author Andy Seed

Say hello to your favorite book characters around The Wild Wood this weekend

1.30–1.50pm Interview with Blackbeard

Ages 8+    Author and time-traveller Andy Seed reveals the good, the bad, and the unexpected about 10 famous villains.

The Den

10am–4pm

Make and Take: Hats and Maps   Covered Picnic Area

4– 4.30pm

Waterstones Family Book Quiz

Monday 9 October

Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop

30 min story sessions at: 12pm, 2.50pm

The Wild Wood

30 min story sessions at: 11am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 3.15pm

Later, When I’m Big

Ages 4+

Journey through rainforests, the North Pole and beyond to imagine fantastical futures with illustrator Mattias de Leeuw and translator Laura Watkinson. Draw along with Mattias. Sponsored by Flanders Literature

Woodland Wisps    Step into an enchanted world of wonder, as our storytelling wisps share tales of potions, pixies and magical powers.

The Wild Wood Info Point

10am–4pm

Paper Craft: Wands and Windmills

10–10.20am

Pick a Story

Ages 3+

Who would you choose to save the day? A superhero, mermaid, or maybe even a dragon? Join Sarah Coyle, author of Pick a Story adventures.

Free, ticketed event

Scan the QR code to book all free, ticketed events

With thanks to our event sponsors

Tuesday 10 October

Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop

Thursday 12 October

Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop

Saturday 14 October

Story Shack

20 min story sessions at: 10am, 11.20am, 12.50pm, 2.10pm, 3.40pm

Twisted Tales for Terrible Children

10–10.20am

All the Things

You Will Do!

Ages 2+

Discover everything you could be as Lucy Rowland shares her inspiring new picture book about the promise life brings.

Free, ticketed event

Wednesday

11 October

Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop

10–10.20am

Mr Leopard’s Bookshop

Ages 2+

What if animals ran a bookshop? What sort of books would they sell? Find out with author Alexa Brown in a rhyming storytelling session. Free, ticketed event

Friday

13 October

Waterstones

Children’s Bookshop

10–10.20am

Super Duper

10–10.20am

Penguin Slide

Heavy Metal Badger

Ages 3+

Get ready to rock Duncan Beedie. Will Badger ever find his musical tribe? Giggles and drawing along the way. Free, ticketed event

Ages 3+

Set off on an adventure by bus, train and cable car with author and illustrator Leonie Lord at this storytime and live drawing session.

Free, ticketed event

Scratch the surface of familiar tales with storyteller and funny-man Gav Cross to reveal the terrible and silly, along with some nastiness and nonsense. Performance at 2.10pm will be Makaton/SSE interpreted

10.40–11am

Interview with a Shark

Ages 5+

12–12.30pm

Poems Out Loud

Ages 6+

In this lively, interactive event you will embark on a rip-roaring adventure into the world of poems with Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho.

1.30–1.50pm

Interview with Blackbeard

Ages 8+

Image: David Bebber

2.50–3.20pm

Journey to the South Pole

Ages 7+

What was it like to journey to Antarctica over 150 years ago? A hands-on exploration of the replica kit and sneak peek at the diaries of Cheltenhamborn Edward Wilson with The Wilson Learning Curator Karen Finnegan.

This performance will be Makaton/SSE interpreted

The Wild Wood

30 min story sessions at: 11am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 3.15pm

Woodland Wisps

The Wild Wood Info Point

10am–4pm

Paper Craft: Wands and Windmills

The Den 10am–4pm

Make and Take: Hats and Maps

Covered Picnic Area

4–4.30pm

Waterstones

Family Book Quiz

Sunday 15 October

Story Shack

20 min story sessions at: 10am, 11.20am, 12.50pm, 2.10pm, 3.40pm

Twisted Tales for Terrible Children

10.40–11am

Interview with a Panda

The Wild Wood

30 min sessions at: 11am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 3.15pm

Secret Agents

The Wild Wood Info Point

10am–4pm

Paper Craft: Wands and Windmills

The Den 10am–4pm

Make and Take: Hats and Maps

Covered Picnic Area

30 min sessions at: 12pm, 2.50pm

The Hare-Shaped Hole

Ages 5+

When Hertle vanishes, her best friend Bertle is distraught. How can he bring Hertle back – and what if he can’t? Join John and Thomas Dougherty for storytime, drawing and music.

1.30–1.50pm

Interview with Cleopatra    Ages 8+

11am–1pm

Children’s Book Swap

Donate your pre-loved children’s books and pick up some new family reads at this friendly book swap with Little Planet Cheltenham and The Motherhood Society

4–4.30pm

Waterstones Family Book Quiz

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

VOICEBOX is back for its third year, bringing you the best and brightest young talent in a vibrant series of events.

With previous speakers including Tom Daley, Francis Bourgeois, Tiwalola Ogunlesi, Dominique Palmer and Alex George, this year’s line-up is not to be missed. From short talks, chats and debates about today’s hottest topics, to comedy, music and spoken word, VOICEBOX is home to unmissable experiences and one-off moments.

Delight in pop-up performances from the biggest names and rising stars. Get creative with a drop-in workshop and laugh out loud at our comedy night. Share your ideas on the big issues or immerse yourself in an intimate music or spoken word set.

Be part of the conversation as we create change from the ground up and amplify the issues you care about. Through VOICEBOX it’s time for your voice to be heard. We can’t wait to see you. Scan the QR code to view this year’s line-up.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE, NO TICKET REQUIRED.

The Huddle

Visit The Huddle in our Feast Café for free music, comedy, poetry and language exploration, celebrating writing from close to home to around the globe.

Friday 6 October Saturday 7 October

4–4.45pm

Kids Read the World

Join translator and kid lit globetrotter Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp for a bookish whistlestop tour of the continent.

5.45–6.15pm

M.G. Leonard:

Writing for Children

Over 10,000 children’s books are published each year in the UK, so how do you capture the attention of young readers?

M.G. Leonard shares her top tips for writing for children.

7.30–8.30pm

The Music Works Presents...

Grab a drink and enjoy live music from talented local musicians ahead of your evening events.

10.30–11.30am

My Voice, My Cheltenham

A unique perspective on what home means from the young entries from the Cheltenham Alliance for Race Equity’s My Voice competition, hosted by Hiva Hesso, and accompanied by performances from local poets. Sponsored by Cheltenham Alliance for Race Equity, Cheltenham Borough Council, Everyman Theatre, Lives of Colour and VOICEBOX

12–12.45pm

Disability and Diff-ability in International Children’s Books

From Hand Solo, the boy who built his own prosthetic arm out of LEGO ®, to a deaf retelling of Rapunzel, translator and kid lit globetrotter Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp introduces the best inclusive children’s literature.

1.15–1.45pm

Sit Down with English PEN

Join English PEN for a conversation about creating, supporting and reading translated literature, ahead of the PEN Translates Proof Party.

Sponsored by English PEN

2.30–3.15pm

Untold Stories: Disability and Inclusion

Author Penny Parkes, poet and founder of CRIPtic Arts

Jamie Hale and Penny

Batchelor, author and founder of Keep Festivals

Hybrid join chair Claire Wade to discuss why the literary world needs to be more accessible and inclusive.

With thanks to our event sponsors

4–5pm

Ann Morgan: Incomprehension Workshop

Join Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan for a sample of the new edition of her workshop for curious readers, focusing on how we talk about books in translation.

7.30–8.30pm

The Music Works Presents...

Grab a drink and enjoy live music from talented local musicians ahead of your evening events.

Sunday 8 October

12–12.30pm

Books From...

Join one of our international delegates to discuss books from their homeland with Ann Morgan

Sponsored by British Council

1–1.30pm

Japanese Literature

The Japan Foundation’s Junko Takekawa discusses the best of Japanese literature with Sarah Shaffi.

Co-presented by the Japan Foundation. Sponsored by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

2–2.30pm

We Recommend...

Ever wondered what Cheltenham Festivals staff are reading in their spare time? Join members of the team as they share their favourite books and reading recommendations.

4.15–4.45pm

Stories and Songs from Việt Nam

Join global bestselling Vietnamese author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child, Nguyễ n Phan Qu ế Mai as she takes us on a journey through the literature and folk songs of a country rich in stories and culture.

Monday 9 October

10–11am

The Times

Crossword

The Time s Crossword Editor Richard Rogan takes you through the mysteries of the day’s crossword puzzles with a helping hand or tantalising hint where needed.

With thanks to our event sponsors

6.30–7.30pm

Game of Tomes

Join comedian Shirley Halse and pun legends Jelly Armchair for the world’s first literary gameshow. Form a team, get creative and pay homage to the best of tomes and the worst of tomes.

1.15–1.45pm

Books From...

Join one of our international delegates to discuss books from their homeland with Daniel Hahn .

Sponsored by British Council

2.30–3.30pm

Willful Giving

Explore charitable legacies with specialists from Willans LLP and Cheltenham Festivals, benefiting both charity and loved ones. One-to one chats will be available with experts afterwards.

Sponsored by Willans LLP

4–4.30pm

Books From...

Join one of our international delegates to discuss books from their homeland with Ann Morgan

Sponsored by British Council

5–5.30pm

Rereading Childhood Books

Have you ever considered how the books you read as child shaped your reading journey? Dr Alison Waller shares insights into her research on the impact of re-reading our childhood favourites with Ann Morgan.

Tuesday 10 October

10–11am

The Times

Crossword

12.30–1pm

Caleb Parkin

Former Bristol City Poet and queer ecopoet, Caleb Parkin, shares work from This Fruiting Body, The Coin (Broken Sleep), and some new work being developed as part of his PhD exploring biodiversity and speculative ecopoetry.

1.30–2pm

The Cherry Stone Duo

Former students of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Cheltenham Festivals’ Musicats’ Will Crawford (guitar) and Emily Hopper (harp)

Wednesday

11 October

10–11am

The Times

Crossword

12.30–1pm

Katherine Cox

A selection of songs, opera arias and duets spanning four centuries of repertoire. With some guest appearances.

2.30–3pm

Revolting Women

Gloucestershire-based author Dr Lucy Ryan introduces her new book, Revolting Women, which offers science and stories about the invisible exit of middle-aged women from the workplace.

2.30–3pm

Let’s Go Home, Son

Croatian writer Ivica Prtenjača’s work has won him many fans on page and screen. His novella Let’s Go Home, Son is being published in English by Istros Books.

With thanks to our event sponsors

4.45–5.15pm

The Wrong Story

On World Mental Health Day, join local former psychotherapist Lisa Jenner with chair Nicola Banning as she demystifies psychotherapy using fiction in her novel The Wrong Story

4–5pm

Exploring

Refugee Literature

Join the Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees book club to learn more about their group and get some great book recommendations.

Thursday 12 October

10–11am

The Times

Crossword

12.30–1pm

International Crime Fiction

Karen Sullivan, author and founder of Orenda Books, talks about the popularity of international crime fiction in the UK market.

4.30–5.15pm

Cheltenham’s Ukrainian Community

Hear people share their favourite Ukrainian poems and stories, while also introducing you to a few book-themed Ukrainian phrases.

Friday

13 October

10–11am

The Times

Crossword

12.30–1pm

Rough Silk

4–4.30pm

Black Artists

Shaping the World

Celebrate the genius of Nigerian sound artists, Sudanese painters and Afrofuturist-inspired performance artists with Sharna Jackson as she discusses the creatives featured in her new book, Black Artists Shaping the World

2–2.30pm

Collaborating Across Cultures

Japanese manga comic creator Chie Kutsuwada and British author Julian Sedgwick (100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café) delve into their working relationship and reflect on the joys and challenges of collaborating across cultures.

Sponsored by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Kenyan Security professional and writer Deborah Auko Tendo joins teacher and academic Tryphosa Bennett for a conversation about her book Rough Silk, the incredible story of her father.

2.30–3pm

STEM Storytelling with Northrop Grumman

How important are stories to the world of science? Northrup Grumman’s Rob Atchison discusses the relationship between stories and STEM.

Sponsored by Northrop Grumman

7.30–8.15pm

Emmy Ludo

Emmy is a singer-songwriter based in Cheltenham. Inspired by artists such as Adele and Demi Lovato, Emmy performs everything from big vocal ballads to modern acoustic pop.

Saturday

14 October

12–12.30pm

Bilingual Women’s Poetry

Hear some poetry written by a local diverse women’s poetry group.

With thanks to our event sponsors

2–2.45pm

New Zealand Literature

Catherine Chidgey explores the best of New Zealand literature with Ann Morgan

Sponsored by Creative New Zealand

3.30–4pm

Waterstones

Book Quiz

Do you know your Smith from your Mantel... your Faulks from your McEwan? Put your book knowledge to the test in this Waterstones Book Quiz.

6.30–7.15pm

Comedy Showcase with James Crawley

Top off your Festival visit with our Saturday night comedy showcase featuring James Crawley

Sunday 15 October

2–2.30pm

How We’ve Read the World Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan reflects on this year’s Festival and shares her personal highlights from the programme.

3.30–4pm

We Recommend…

Ever wondered what Waterstones staff are reading in their spare time? Join members of the team as they share their favourite books and reading recommendations.

4.30–5.30pm

The Passenger

Travel around the world with Europa Editions’ The Passenger series and dive into Nigerian literature with Nnamdi Ehirim, contributor to The Passenger Nigeria

12–12.30pm

‘Tails’ of Mr Olaf the Therapist

Join Mr Olaf, the therapy dog and his owner Rachel Flower as they share Olaf’s work and his new interactive wellbeing colouring scrapbook, recently launched at Crufts. There will be an opportunity to meet Olaf afterwards.

4.30–5pm Somewhere

Else Writers

Members of Cirencester-based writers’ group, Somewhere Else Writers, share some of their writing.

With thanks to our event sponsors

Discover more

Check out our ticketed programme with inspirational days of literary greats, debates, well-known faces, bookish delights and free family fun, featuring...

Brian Cox

Zadie Smith

Michel Roux

Nandini Das

Nick Frost

Theresa May

Andi Osho

David Mitchell

Ed Gamble

Caleb Azumah Nelson

Nadiya Hussain

Adrian Edmondson

Rachel Joyce

Richard E Grant

David Baddiel

Maddie Moate

Matt Lucas

Jacqueline Wilson

Lemony Snicket

Joseph Coelho

...and many more

Tickets now on sale

Book now at cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature

Saturday 7 October

Lit Crawl ...around town

in association with Cheltenham BID

Join us for a fast-paced evening, of comedy, open mic sessions and performances, pick your favourites from each phase as part of your Lit Crawl adventure.

Phase 1

6–7pm

Fairy Tales For Grown Ups

The Sober Parrot

6–7pm

Because I Don’t Know What You

Mean and What

You Don’t

Waterstones

Comic mastermind Josie Long discusses her brilliant collection of stories with much-loved Cheltenham comedian Shirley Halse

Drop in for one session or crawl your way through the whole evening of events

Sarah Liisa Wilkinson invites you to meet the strange girls and beguiling monsters from the fairytale forest. Dark, funny and enchanted – these are stories with iron teeth.

6-8pm

Talk starts at 6.15pm

Frozen Continent: Exhibition

The Wilson

6–7.30pm

Read The World!

Open Mic Night

The Everyman Studio Theatre

Join Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees, P3 and Kings Table for an inspiring evening of poetry, spoken word and creative writing. Enjoy a showcase of our incredible local talent with hosts Martin Lytton and JPDL

Join great nephew of Edward Wilson David M. Wilson and polar historian Anne Strathie as they chat to associate curator Ann-Rachael about Wilson’s fascinating life. Take a sneaky peak at his expedition diaries and try on the replicas of his expedition kit.

Phase 2

7–9pm

Drop in

Ars Poetica Waterstones

Meet our resident poet, Olivia Dodd and receive a beautifully printed custom poem created just for you.

7.30pm, 8.15pm, 9pm, 9.45pm

Guess Clue?

Hotel du Vin

6–8pm, drop in Talk starts at 7.15pm

Power of Words

The Wilson

Use your words to shout out for change and create your own earth-saving slogan boards with Planet Cheltenham . What does it mean to be an ‘activist’?

Artist and climate justice activist Tolmeia Gregory explores why there isn’t just one way to be a part of the climate movement. Whether you’re an artist, a baker or an accountant, there’s a role for you!

7.30–9pm

F*ck Up Nights

Boston Tea Party

We all f**k up at some point... from businesses gone bust to failed relationships. In this hilarious and thoughtprovoking night, join a bunch of strangers as they share their shortcomings – Register to share your story here: shorturl.at/mqMR5

With thanks to our event sponsors

7.30–9pm

Cheltenham Poetry

Festival Grand Slam Waterstones

Enjoy an electrifying evening of spoken word with Chloe Jacquet , Dan Cooper, Colin Wells and Tanya Feasey aka The Bovine Poet

7.30–9.30pm, performances start every 20mins

The Fourth Bride

The Coffee Dispensary

Some say she’s a tragedy. Many call her a monster. But how does Lucy Westenra see herself? Moth Sanctuary Productions provide a platform for Dracula’s first English victim to tell her story in this entrancing exposé.

There’s been a murder, and it’s up to you to solve whodunit. Using your wits, along with some helpful clues, can you guess whodunit?!

7.30–8.30pm

Tokyo Café

The Sober Parrot

Toshikazu Kawaguchi ’s incredible series Before The Coffee Gets Cold explores the stories of customers in a time-travelling café in Tokyo. Join us for this rare opportunity to meet the author.

Sponsored by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

8.30–9.45pm

Unreflected

Reflection

The Everyman Studio Theatre

Glimpse into the history and narrative of Muslim communities in Gloucester in photography exhibition

Through the Lens and short film Gloucester’s Glory

Image: Still Moving Media

Phase 3

9–10.30pm

Carnifolk Presents: Carving’s Carnival Bottle of Sauce

Grab a pint, create a character and join us for love, music and tomfoolery in this rioutous night of choose-your own-adventure games.

9.30–10.45pm

Raise the Bar VOICEBOX

A chance to see some of the leading names on the spoken word scene, with Bristol’s biggest monthly spoken word poetry event Raise The Bar

10.45m – late

Lit Crawl

After Party

The Urban Fox

Top off your Lit Crawl experience with our afterparty. Grab a drink and hear live music presented by The Music Works.

More Free Events…

Thursday 12 October 4–5pm

Word Perfect

Clockwise

Learn how to breathe life into the words and phrases we commonly use in the working world with Susie Dent , lexicographer, logophile, and longtime queen of Countdown’s Dictionary Corner.

Friday 13 October 1–2pm

Work Your Way to Wellness

Clockwise

From posture-correcting desk yoga to mindfulness tips for when your writers block hits, Clockwise share their top tips and techniques for working wellness.

Saturday 14 October 3.30pm-4.15pm

Imaginary

Landscapes: Poetry and Harp

The Bandstand

Music and words combine in this magical and mesmerising fusion of harp and poetry. Join us for a concert with critically acclaimed and award-winning poet Chris Tutton and leading British harpist Anne Denholm .

Plan Your Perfect Festival

With the Cheltenham Festivals app

Available on Android and IOS, it’s the easiest way to plan your Festival visit.

YOUR HOME, FOR WORK

Bringing flexible workspace to the Festival. Whether you need to dial in or log on, if you want connection with a community or to enjoy a quiet corner, we’re your home for work.

Providing well-designed and contemporary offices and meeting rooms with brilliantly flexible membership plans across the UK and in mainland Europe Clockwise space is your home, for work.

hello@work-clockwise.com

Festival Village

The Hive

The Wild Wood Info Point

Story Shack

The Den

Waterstones Children's Bookshop

Cheltenham Town Hall and Pillar Room Queens Hotel, Lit Crawl ...around town

Parabola Arts Centre Hotel du Vin

MONTPELLIER SPA ROAD

MONTPELLIER TERRACE

Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UL

Site open from Friday 6 October, 10am

Free entry

The Bandstand

The Garden Gallery

VIP Lounge in Partnership with Cunard

The Times and Sunday Times Forum

Waterstones Bookshop

The Garden Theatre

Feast Cafe Festival Bar The Huddle

First Aid

The Da odil