Welcome to the nineteenth
Swindon Festival of Literature!

In this Olympic year, which also sees Swindon Town head for Wembley, we too seek medals and trophies in the field of ideas, entertainment, and action. Join us, on the podium!

Of course, as ever, our opening ceremony, comprising mental and physical fun and the rising sun, takes place outdoors at dawn on that high ridge in Lawn Woods, overlooking Swindon.

But before you know it, we’ll be off on a story- walk, or striding out, on a health-enhancing Freedom parkrun on the other side of town, in lovely Lydiard Park, followed by book talk from two authors who know how to run for their lives. Our first day provides Bank Holiday action that serves both body and mind.

This is the way it is at the Swindon Festival of Literature, where readers meet writers, and writers meet readers, and enjoyable, interesting, challenging, worthwhile, unpredictable, funny, and memorable things happen. We like to celebrate what words can do, provided they are well thought, well written, and well said!

We talk, we listen, we think, we drink, and also like to laugh. Our passion and founding spirit is rooted in love of the word, good reading, exploratory talk, finding out about things, making connections, and the notion that life is for learning, and pleasure.

In its attempt to lure you along, this year’s Festival includes novelists, poets, philosophers, scientists, storytellers, columnists, commentators, historians, comedians, artists, and activists.

There will be events at midday, teatime, and in the evening, carefully spaced and placed to enable you to attend almost every one, should you have the stamina!

For a full at-a-glance list of authors, events, times, and dates, see List of Events.

And then, mark your diary, so that from 7th to 19th May you know where to be, if you want to be meeting, greeting, and listening to writers, thinkers, entertainers, and other Festival followers.

Please read on, and come along.

MATT HOLLAND

Festival Director

Welcome to the nineteenth Swindon Festival of Literature!

For the latest Festival news…

Welcome to the nineteenth
Swindon Festival of Literature!