Marlborough LitFest Celebrates 16th Year with Thrilling Events

The Marlborough LitFest marked its 16th anniversary last weekend with an impressive lineup of over 45 events catering to diverse audiences. From bestselling authors to engaging children’s activities, the festival provided something for everyone, attracting both loyal attendees and newcomers.

The festival commenced with a heartwarming performance by 60 children from Marlborough St Mary’s, who sang on the steps of the Town Hall. The celebrations concluded with William Hanson, a renowned etiquette expert, sharing insights from his book, Just Good Manners, to a full house. Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed a wide array of topics, with sessions featuring notable figures such as bestselling authors Alan Hollinghurst and Clare Chambers, actor and author Rupert Everett, and biographer Lucy Hughes-Hallett.

Dynamic Programming and Engaging Workshops

The festival’s programming included discussions on fascinating subjects, ranging from Russian espionage with former Moscow correspondent Shaun Walker to retail insights from Mary Portas. Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules captivated audiences with her poignant family memoir, Strong Roots, while journalist Steve Crashaw addressed the challenges of holding dictators accountable.

On Thursday, sixth-form students from St John’s Marlborough engaged in a lively debate on the morality of literary censorship. The following day, children were thrilled by a session with AF Steadman, who introduced her popular Skandar series to 350 schoolchildren. Other highlights included John Suchet discussing his exploration of Beethoven’s life and Alan Hollinghurst presenting his latest novel, Our Evenings.

Saturday was dedicated to a series of children’s activities at the Parade Cinema, featuring a nature walk with local author and priest Colin Heber-Percy, a storytelling workshop with Ashley Ramsden, and lively sessions of Poetry and Prose in the Pub at The Green Dragon. The popular Translation Duel returned, alongside a talk by Sumit Paul-Choudhury on finding optimism in challenging times.

Community Engagement and Future Prospects

The festival also included several free author events leading up to the main weekend, reaching over 1,000 local primary schoolchildren. The Big School Read featured Nathaniel Lessore, while Lizzie Lewis from Tall Tales Theatre engaged younger audiences with performances of Rumpelstiltskin at local libraries. For the third consecutive year, the Once Upon a Trail invited families to discover clues related to children’s books hidden in shops along the High Street.

As the festival wrapped up, Mary-Vere Parr, LitFest chairwoman, 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.” The festival is organized as a charity by a small committee of volunteers, supported by a dedicated group of Friends, partners, and sponsors. Approximately 140 local volunteers contributed to the event, helping with activities ranging from stewarding to managing the café and box office.

The Marlborough LitFest continues to foster a love of literature and community engagement. Those interested in supporting the festival can participate as a volunteer or a Friend by contacting the organization at [email protected].