Cambridge Literary Festival

Names announced for Spring Festival 2023: Wednesday 19^th to Sunday 23^rd April, now in its 20th anniversary year.

Cambridge Literary Festival is delighted to announce the programme for its Spring 2023 edition, bringing the best writers, thinkers and speakers together in beautiful historic venues across the City of Cambridge. Alongside established and emerging writers of fiction and poetry, there are household names from the world of politics, food, music, television, art, environment, and wellbeing. With a range of talks to entertain, inspire, and shine a light on pressing current issues, the festival leads the cultural conversation across five days with over 50 events and 74 speakers.

INAUGURAL A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN LECTURE: ALI SMITH
A standout element for this April’s festival is the inaugural A Room of One’s Own Lecture, a joint initiative
ofCambridge Literary Festival withNewnham College, Cambridge. It offers an annual opportunity for the
foremost women writers of our day to share their work and to ask how far we have come since Woolf said:
‘lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom
of my mind’. Ali Smith will deliver the first lecture on the evening of Sunday 23rd April, to be introduced
by Dr Bonnie Lander Johnson. All attendees will receive a commemorative pamphlet containing Smith’s
text.

NEW CAMBRIDGE SERIES
Also new for spring 2023 is the Cambridge Series, launching with a stellar line up to lead the conversation
for the intellectually curious. Distinguished physicist and Professor Athene Donald offers a refreshing
look at why we need more women in science and makes the case for greater diversity in modern research.
Professor Chris Clarke gives an exhilarating reappraisal of 1848 as one of the most dramatic years in
European history. In partnership with the British Academy, British Academy Book Prize Winner Sujit
Sivasundaram reimagines the British Empire from the perspective of indigenous peoples in the Indian and
Pacific oceans to see afresh the connections and divisions shaping our environments and cultural identity.

FICTION AND POETRY
Amongst the leading writers joining the festival for the 20th anniversary year is a special evening with
former poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy. Maggie O’Farrell introduces her latest novel The Marriage Portrait,
bringing Renaissance Italy to jewel-bright life. Curtis Sittenfeld, critically acclaimed and bestselling
author of American Wife and Rodham, joins Alex Clark to share Romantic Comedy, her most searingly
contemporary novel yet. Literary lunches and Afternoon Tea at luxury hotel partner University Arms are
back for 2023, with a discussion between leading crime writers Janice Hallett and Sophie Hannah; and
another with Bonnie Garmus, whose debut Lessons in Chemistry shot to bestselling success in 2022.
Matthew Hollis delves into T.S. Eliot’s timeless masterpiece in discussion on his book The Waste Land: A
Biography of a Poem, and literary biographer Claire Harman joins the line up to discuss and re-examine the legacy of modernist writer Katherine Mansfield to mark the centenary of her death. Visitors can also
discover the hottest new talent through Ali Smith’s Debut Writers’ Panel and Granta’s Best of Young
British Novelists panel.

HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND WELLBEING
Jack Monroe and Kit de Waal share first-hand experiences demonstrating that the current cost-of-living
crisis is nothing new. Doctor and campaigner Louise Newson sheds light on the menopause and
perimenopause. Julia Hollander explains the benefits and joys to be found in singing. Manni and Reuben
Coe tell their life-affirming story of hope, resilience and repair; Reuben, who has Down’s syndrome, lived
in a home for adults with learning disabilities during COVID, leading to a transformative moment in the
brothers’ relationship.

CURRENT ISSUES AND HOT DEBATE
This year, the festival’s New Statesman Debate tackles the timely and controversial motion: “This house
believes it is time for Britain to abolish its monarchy”. Speaking for the motion are award-winning
journalist Tanya Gold, historian author and Professor Anna Whitelock, and author, broadcaster and
academic Gary Younge (who will also host a separate event to discuss Dispatches from the Diaspora).
Speaking against are journalist and author Robert Hardman; broadcaster, author and The New
Statesman’s political editor Andrew Marr; and Tomiwa Owolade, author and contributing writer to The
New Statesman. Marr will also deliver the inaugural State of the Nation Lecture, reflecting on where we
are politically after the last few chaotic years. Dr Jim Down (ICU consultant) and Polly Morland (A
Fortunate Woman: A Country Doctor’s Story) discuss the NHS in 2023 and beyond to mark its 75th
anniversary, and Paul Johnson from the Institute for Fiscal Studies interrogates the ramifications of bad
politics and damaging policy decisions on Britain’s economy.

The New Statesman have two additional political offerings, through their Podcast Live – giving an unrivalled analysis of the latest in Westminster – and in Breakfast with the Editors, discussing the big news stories of the day. To help visitors stay engaged without becoming enraged by these issues, Rafael Behr joins Jackie Ashley to present Politics: A Survivor’s Guide.

PERSONAL AND POLITICAL HISTORIES
Jon Snow – the face of Channel 4 News for 30 years – brings The State of Us, his personal rallying cry for
tackling inequality, fighting injustice, and recovering our sense of community. Influential poet and activist
Linton Kwesi Johnson delves into Time Come, his first prose selection bringing together his most powerful
writings. Pattie Boyd (My Life in Pictures) – the inspiration behind timeless Beatles classics Layla,
Wonderful Tonight and Something – shares fascinating recollections of her life and changing times with
George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Twiggy, David Bailey and more. Author, historian and critic Colin Grant
introduces his new memoir I’m Black So You Don’t Have to Be. The moving accounts of Yeva Skalietska and Katya Hudson show the personal effect of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Timothy Garton Ash presents his
Personal History of Europe, and Tania Branigan shares her expertise on the China’s Cultural Revolution.
Tim Marshall meanwhile presents space as the biggest geopolitical story of the 21st century.

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT, US
Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of LEON and Director of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, and food
writer Bee Wilson come together to discuss the big issues around food, farming, diet and health. Sarah
Raven (A Year Full of Veg) meanwhile gives her expert advice on growing reliable and bountiful seasonal
produce all year round. Gaia Vince (Nomad Century) promotes the idea of migration as a solution to the
climate crisis, whilst Peter Wohlleben – rock star of foresters and a committed advocate for tree
conservation – spotlights The Power of Trees. Biologist and wildlife filmmaker Tom Mustill recounts the
life-threating encounter with a whale whilst on a kayak which led to his thrilling scientific investigation
into the pioneering world of animal communication. The Baillie Gifford Prize, which rewards excellence
in non-fiction writing, hosts a ‘Winner of Winners’ event with journalist Razia Iqbal.

KIDS
A jam-packed programme with household names will keep children and families entertained throughout.
Dame Jacqueline Wilson discusses how she started her writing career, how she created some of her best loved characters, and details about her brand-new book. Michael Morpurgo returns with a brand-new
story celebrating the new monarch, King Charles III. Both Wilson and Morpurgo will also be presented
with a Cambridge Literary Festival award for their outstanding contribution to children’s reading. A
special free schools event – Refugee Tales – will be hosted by Ali Smith and Bernardine Evaristo. There
are writing and drawing tips from Cressida Cowell, an interactive session with author and performance
poet John Agard, and a talk from Emma Carroll. Di Redmond discusses Rucksack, a book which paints a
vivid picture of displaced children in light of the war on Ukraine. Peter Wohlleben introduces What’s Wild
Outside Your Door?, an informative and interactive guide to wildlife in our cities and suburbs. Activities to
test sleuthing skills are presented by Robin Stevens, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize
winning and bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series, and Sam Copeland hosts a hilarious storytelling
event.

These unmissable conversations will be held in equally stunning venues: Clough Hall at Newnham
College, the University Arms Hotel, the stately Cambridge Union Debating Chamber, the Old Divinity
School, and the Palmerston Room.

Festival Director, Cathy Moore said: “For the last twenty years I have been inspired by books, captivated
by words, transformed by well-crafted argument, and railroaded into the digital world. I have loved every
moment of it and wouldn’t change a thing. I have seen the festival grow into an inspiring alchemy between town and gown where everyone from Nobel Laureates to TV personalities mingle with academics and our intellectually curious audiences. We have evolved with our audiences, and are particularly excited to launch three new elements this year: the A Room of One’s Own lecture, the Cambridge Series and our State of the Nation lecture. Long may it continue.”

To make bookings in advance please click