2023 Festival Review

At this year’s in-person Festival, which ran between 20 – 29 April, enjoyed record size audiences with many events selling out way in advance. The atmosphere was electric, with a sense of excitement and high energy at every event.

We used the highest of the literary arts to address issues such as racial inequality, the threat of climate change, species extinction, the legacy of empire, nationalism and internationalism, immigration and identity, and to ask ‘can poetry change the world by raising awareness, engendering empathy and encouraging change?’

Highlights of the 13th Festival included:

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and Zoological Society of London poet Ruth Padel who shared the stage with ‘veteran campaigner’ broadcaster and commentator Jonathon Porritt, for a reading and discussion on the power of poetry to raise awareness of climate issues with BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Jo Durrant,
• Roy McFarlane read poetry inspired by racial issues within the UK and the rich artistic legacy of multi- culturalism,
• slam champ Chloe Jacquet performed,
• there were readings by Alicia Stubbersfield, Ann Drysdale, and our newly appointed Cheltenham-based Poet in Residence Angela France,
• Carcanet poet Rory Waterman talked about National Treasure Wendy Cope,
• we offered a tribute to UA Fanthorpe,
• and hosted a brand-new Keats- inspired show by the irrepressible John Hegley.
• We also welcomed nearly 200 spoken word lovers to watch The Real Slam Shady, the Cheltenham Poetry Festival Slam.

Thank you to our incredible volunteer team, to our warm and responsive audiences, our poets and our sponsors – Festival Wide Sponsor John Oldham, Platinum Sponsor The University of Gloucestershire and for a final year – our Headline Sponsor Barbara Jordan of Jordans’ Solicitors.

We are now working on next year’s festival and outreach programme and have some very exciting things planned. We can’t wait to share our plans with you!

GALLERIES

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