The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival

Sunday 29 March - Sunday 5 April 2009

This year over 350 writers descended on one of Oxford’s most magnificent colleges, Christ Church, to talk, debate, and discuss ideas at The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival. Festivals are wonderful at bringing people together creating a literary haven for both writers and readers - with festivalgoers moving between talks on everything from food, gardening, history, politics, biography and travel.

The 2009 Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival promises even much more and on Sunday 29 March will be launched in Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre - designed by the seventeenth century architect Sir Christopher Wren - by the eminent historian David Starkey who will talk about Henry VIII.

Peru’s foremost and most distinguished writer, Mario Vargas Llosa, will give the very first Chancellor’s Lecture introduced by the Chancellor of The University of Oxford, Lord Patten(Sheldonian Theatre, 3 April).

In celebration of their 250th anniversary, Wedgwood, England’s finest china company, brings us The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu to talk about Englishness.

Food writer Tamasin Day Lewis will give a cooking demonstration in the historic Tudor kitchen of the food Cardinal Wolsey would have eaten in the 16^th century. Cardinal Wolsey founded Christ Church in 1524. Forty lucky festival goers will then enjoy a dinner cooked and presented by Tamasin.

BBC Four TV will present a series of films with introductions and Q&A with writes and filmmakers.

Our panel discussions will take on major issues affecting our lives and ask questions about global politics, religion, climate change, science and much more - forming part of the heated debate so loved by many.

These are just some of the highlights you can expect at next year’s festival.

Both writers and festivalgoers can stay overnight in Christ Church adding to the community spirit and mirroring how Oxford came into being with people from all over the world coming together to discuss ideas. Christ Church was refounded by King Henry VIII in 1546 after Wolsey fell from power, and is part of the history of England. King Charles I held his court here during the Civil War, thirteen British prime ministers were educated here as young undergraduates. It is where Alice in Wonderland was written by mathematician Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) and was W.H. Auden’s college, where he returned to live for his last years. The Great Hall even features as Hogwart’s Hall in all the Harry Potter movies.

Come and be part of it all. When you travel to the Festival on the Oxford Tube, you will receive discounts on both your travel and festival events. For details of the offer and festival events see:

http://www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk