This unprecedented move, the first time a literary festival has ever taken place in an Oxford college, offers Sunday Times readers the chance to experience university life from the inside. On offer is not only accommodation in college (see below), but also access to the cathedral and Tudor Great Hall, and the chance to attend events in its glorious rooms. No more impressive setting could be imagined for our literary feast.
The festival, which opens on Friday, March 24, offers a dazzling programme of more than 160 events, and runs until Wednesday, March 29. Writers will include Francis Fukuyama, the renowned author of The End of History, who will launch his eagerly awaited After the Neocons; Doris Lessing, looking back at a distinguished life’s work; the great travel writer Colin Thubron; Richard Mabey, whose mesmerising works about the natural world include Birds Britannica and Nature Cure; Stella Tillyard, historian and author of Aristocrats and A Royal Affair; John Berendt, discussing his book on Venice, The City of Falling Angels; and Melvyn Bragg, presenting his choice of Twelve Books that Changed the World.
AA Gill will make you laugh about Englishness; you can hear crime’s grandes dames PD James and Ruth Rendell; Kate Mosse will reveal the secrets of her bestseller Labyrinth; the ancient world will come under Boris Johnson’s scrutiny; George MacDonald Fraser will celebrate Flashman; Clive James talks about his essays; Christopher Meyer discusses his warts-and-all account of life as Our Man in Washington; and distinguished Sunday Times critic David Cairns celebrates Mozart ’s 250th anniversary with conductor Colin Davis.
The majority of events will be on sale from February 14, and further programme details can be found at www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk. To book, call 01865 305305.
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EXCLUSIVE SUNDAY TIMES OFFER
Two-night package: Accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church for two nights, plus tickets for: Melvyn Bragg, Friday, March 24, at 6pm; Francis Fukuyama, Saturday, March 25, at midday; Fay Weldon, Saturday, March 25, at 4pm; and the festival opening dinner in the magnificent Great Hall, Saturday, March 25, at 7pm. Hosted by Lord Patten, patron of the festival and Chancellor of Oxford University, the dinner has two speakers: Princess Michael of Kent and Simon Jenkins. Prices from £181.
Three-night package: Accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church for three nights, plus tickets for: Melvyn Bragg, Friday, March 24, at 6pm; Francis Fukuyama, Saturday, March 25, at midday; Fay Weldon, Saturday, March 25, at 4pm; the festival opening dinner, Saturday, March 25, at 7pm; Boris Johnson, Sunday, March 26, at midday. Prices from £238. To book, call 01865 286848 or 01865 286877, or e-mail festival2006@chch.ox.ac.uk, from Feb 13.
For those not wishing to take the opportunity of the packages, bed and breakfast prices start from £51 per night. Call 01865 286848 and 01865 286877, from February 20, or e-mail: festival2006@chch.ox.ac.uk