Spring Festival - Now Over
Record audiences of 6,500 enjoyed 60 events and 90 writers during three full-to-bursting days in the glorious spring sunshine. Highlights and memorable moments abound. Several audience members commented that the Party Leaders Panel helped them decide who to vote for on May 6th; Will Hutton, as always, left audiences wanting more with his brilliantly incisive commentary on the unreformed financial system and his fearless urging for equitable reform to control the rich banking fraternity; the Literary Editors' Breakfast provided the perfect platform for Mary Beard to excel and open the debate as to why there are not more book reviews written by women; John Simpson explained why he wouldn't be going into politics - although the thought of sitting in parliament with his chum Martin Bell had been an appealing thought; Hanif Kureishi was genuinely reflective about his art, about life and about how the two speak to each other.
Click here to see photos of the festival weekend
