Friday May 18

MATT HOLLAND and YOU – looking back, looking forward, and seeing how we celebrate the arts, in Swindon!

How did the Holocaust happen? Why did the Holocaust happen?

How did this Festival begin, 25 years ago? Who wanted it, and why? Has it achieved its aims and ambitions? Has it done anything for Swindon? Has it done anything for you? – Would you like to see it expand into a Swindon Spring Festival – of the Arts?

Do you like thinking about things, having ideas, and good exploratory talk? Do you like making things happen, in the arts, in Swindon? Have you got any great ideas to help the arts thrive in Swindon? Would you like to see a Swindon Spring Festival – of the Arts, next year? Yes? Then let’s have a chat!

KATE RAWORTH – on finding the world’s economic sweet spot.

Presented in association with the Swindon Philosophical Society

Economics matters. Its theories are the mother tongue of public policy, the rationale for big investments, and the tools we use to manage our planetary home.

Many of its fundamental ideas are centuries old and out of date. What kind of economics will serve us in the future?

Senior Research Associate at institutes in Cambridge and Oxford, UN report writer, and renegade economist, Kate Raworth is author of Doughnut Economics, which offers a radical rewrite of 200 years of economic theories and, taking a long view forward, identifies seven insights that help to bring twenty-first century economics into the global sweet spot and

lead us to a new model, one that serves a thriving and sustainable domestic and global economy.

THINK SLAM – philosophy as thought-provoking entertainment!

Presented in association with the Swindon Philosophical Society

This is what will happen at the ninth Swindon Think Slam.

Competitors have 3 minutes to present a thought-provoking idea, theory, or story. From then on, it’s a knockout! Keen but kindly judges, chosen from among the keen and kindly audience, and including Kate Raworth as judge-supremo, will decide who pleases the thinking parts that others cannot reach, who inspires good, great, or gruesome thoughts, and who does not.

Just as in all good sporting competitions, there will be a first round, semi-final, and a final! Though there may well be moments of seriousness, nervousness, and puzzlement, a spirit of wonder, wit, and good cheer will prevail! The winner will be crowned ninth Swindon Think Slam Champ and receive a bubbly-filled trophy, rapturous applause, and words of congratulation from our guest judge supremo Kate Raworth.

Cool compere, and terrific thinker in her own right, Sara-Jane Arbury, will maintain good Think Slam order, with clear instructions, firm hand, and thoughtful slam smile; and will be ably aided by sensible scorer, terrifying timekeeper, and crowd-pleasing prizes-provider Matt Holland.

HOW TO ENTER. Anyone brave and thoughtful enough, by their own standards, can apply to enter. If you wish to enter the ninth Swindon THINK SLAM, please contact the Festival on 01793 771080 or at swindonlitfest@lowershawfarm.co.uk