Marlborough LitFest Celebrates 16 Years with Vibrant Weekend

Last weekend, the Marlborough LitFest marked its 16th anniversary with an exciting lineup of over 45 diverse literary events. The festival attracted authors of all backgrounds, from bestselling writers to debut novelists, and offered a host of free activities for families and children. Held on September 23-24, 2023, the event showcased a remarkable array of sessions that catered to various interests.

The festival kicked off with a heartwarming performance by 60 children from Marlborough St Mary’s, who sang on the steps of the Town Hall. A highlight of the weekend was etiquette expert William Hanson, who concluded the festival with entertaining insights from his book, Just Good Manners. The programming included a rich tapestry of discussions led by notable figures such as bestselling authors Alan Hollinghurst and Clare Chambers, actor and author Rupert Everett, and biographer Lucy Hughes-Hallett.

Engaging Events for All Ages

The festival featured a wide range of topics, from the complexities of Russian espionage with former Moscow correspondent Shaun Walker to retail insights with Mary Portas. Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules captivated audiences with her family memoir, Strong Roots, while journalist Steve Crashaw addressed the challenges of holding despots accountable.

On Thursday, students from St John’s Marlborough engaged in a spirited debate about the moral implications of censoring literature. The following day, children were enthralled by author AF Steadman, who drew a crowd of 350 schoolchildren with her popular Skandar series. The festival’s Golding Speaker, Alan Hollinghurst, discussed his latest novel, Our Evenings, while John Suchet shared his journey in search of Beethoven.

The weekend also featured a series of children’s events and activities at the Parade Cinema, a nature walk with local author and priest Colin Heber-Percy, and a storytelling workshop with Ashley Ramsden. Other notable events included the return of the Translation Duel and a workshop led by Sumit Paul-Choudhury, who focused on finding positivity in literature.

A Community Celebration

Sunday highlighted additional LitFest events held at St Peter’s Church, with author Andrew Miller discussing his Booker-shortlisted novel, The Land in Winter. The day’s lineup included discussions on church architecture by stonemason Andrew Ziminski, and contributions from novelist Kate Webb and author Adele Zeynep Walton, who addressed contemporary digital challenges.

In the lead-up to the festival, free author events in nearby towns, including Calne, Devizes, and Pewsey, reached over 1,000 local primary schoolchildren. The Big School Read at St John’s Marlborough featured Nathaniel Lessore, while children enjoyed performances of Rumpelstiltskin by Lizzie Lewis from Tall Tales Theatre.

Throughout the weekend, the White Horse Bookshop and its pop-up shops facilitated book sales and author signings, allowing attendees to interact directly with their favorite writers.

Festival chairwoman Mary-Vere Parr expressed her gratitude, stating, “We had a ball. There was such a buzz to the weekend with many events sold out and real excitement about the authors. A big thank you to them and to our audience—both our loyal regulars and the people who discovered LitFest for the first time.”

Marlborough LitFest continues to operate as a charity, supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and local sponsors. Approximately 140 local residents contributed to the event, managing everything from event stewardship to café operations. Those interested in supporting the festival can consider becoming a volunteer or a Friend by contacting [email protected].