Press Release: Events
The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival Announces 2012 Line-up
Posted at 7:45AM Wednesday 18 Jan 2012
The Oxford Literary Festival today announces some of the stellar line-up for its 2012 programme. Highlights will include double-Booker winner Peter Carey on the eve of the publication of his latest novel The Chemistry Years delivering the first Bodleian Library Lecture; William Boyd on Waiting for Sunrise; AN Wilson on Dante and Tolstoy; Jeremy Paxman on Empire; Justine Picardie channelling Coco; Joan Bakewell and Diana Athill living life to the full; David Lammy on Britain after the Riots; Michael Winner on movies; and Vikram Seth delivering the Chancellor's Lecture.Throughout the Festival, which is sponsored by HSBC Premier, the Sheldonian Theatre will play host to a selection of world-class speakers including Michael Morpurgo, fresh from the successful translation of War Horse to the big screen; Sir David Hare on his life in the theatre; and Sir Alan Parker on his long career in film. Dr Rowan Williams will also be making an appearance with Eliza Griswold to discuss the issues raised by her book, The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Faultline between Christianity and Islam, whilst A C Grayling and Roger Scruton will turn their thoughts to whether we need 'God to survive'. Celebrated American novelist Anne Tyler makes her first UK visit to receive the Sunday Times Award for Excellence. In a nod to another deity, Mammon, Robert Harris will talk about his latest work, The Fear Index, delving into the world of high finance, while Alistair Darling will reveal what went on behind the doors of 11 Downing Street as the credit crunch hit and Alvin Hall will explain how to get smarter with money. In a series of events looking at the Middle East, Sandy Gall will discuss 'why it all went wrong in Afghanistan' and Lindsey Hilsum and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will dissect Gadaffi's regime and the role of Western Democracy in Libya respectively. Another focus is on celebrating the 200th anniversary of Dickens' birth with events featuring Philip Pullman, Claire Tomalin, Christopher Edge, JD Sharpe and Will Gompertz. The Festival also returns with a fantastic set of children's events including Mackenzie Crook on his first children's book, The Windvale Sprites. Other children's highlights include Frank Cottrell Boyce and Young Bond author Charlie Higson celebrating Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, James Bond and Ian Fleming. Oxford Literary Festival Director Sally Dunsmore said: "We are delighted to return in our 16th year with another exceptional line-up of writers, authors and scholars, bringing some of the world's best speakers to Christ Church, Oxford and historic colleges and major University of Oxford venues. With over 80 events already programmed, we look forward to welcoming visitors to the city for stimulating debate in some of the country's most beautiful buildings."
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