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Cheltenham Literature Festival goes online

October would normally see thousands flock to Cheltenham to catch a glimpse of the great and good in international literature.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's Cheltenham Literature Festival has been forced to adapt in line with lockdown guidance.

Instead of the usual program, the world's oldest literature festival has announced that it will present  100 live-streamed  events  with  a  socially-distanced  live audience (government guidance permitting) in Cheltenham Town Hall and the Everyman Theatre. And, in  a year when international travel is limited, an innovative series of filmed events with major international names, supported by a global network of festival partners and publishers.

These events will be streamed between October 2 and 11 via the Cheltenham Festivals website through a digital hub, where the audience can interact with speakers and other Festival-goers. Visitors to the hub can navigate the virtual Festival site, browsing in the bookshop and exploring activities for book-lovers of all ages.

Director of Festivals Ian George  said:  "We are recreating the  spirit of the festival online and  sharing the joy of books  with  thousands of people across the  globe  who  can't meet in person in  Cheltenham this year.

"Since  lockdown , when  we  have  all  needed  culture and creativity more than ever, Cheltenham Festivals has committed to bring  its  festivals  digitally  to homes all over the world, for free.  As the COVID-19 crisis means  we are  faced with losing  vital  box office income  from our biggest festival of the year, we  hope  that our  devoted  audiences and friends  will  keep  donating  generously  so that we can continue our work."

The programme is expected to feature content unique to Cheltenham, presenting some of the biggest names in publishing this autumn. Award-winning authors of fiction and non-fiction will join poets, spoken word artists and new voices to delve into a range of topics including travel and adventure,  food and drink, lifestyle, history, art and religion.

Cheltenham Festivals add that they will also be equipping schools and families to run their own Literature Festival, providing 30 free author events, creative writing challenges, draw-alongs and read-aloud sessions available online from October 5-9 to watch on-demand. Plus eight live-streamed weekend events with best-selling children's authors, poets and illustrators.

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