Feast your mind on the Festival of Ideas

Press release issued: 9 September 2010



Festival of Ideas logo
The chance to run the British economy, learn about body diversity in the fashion industry or hear acclaimed children's author Jacqueline Wilson talk about her life and work are on offer at the UK's biggest arts and humanities festival - Cambridge University's Festival of Ideas.

Partners in the Festival include Anglia Ruskin University and arts and community organisations throughout the Cambridge area.

The booking line for the Festival, which runs from October 20-31, opened on 9 September with more than 170 mostly free events on offer to the public.

The 11-day Festival, now in its third year, celebrates the arts, humanities and social sciences, and attracts visitors from the UK and internationally.

Organiser Nicky Buckley said:

"The Festival of Ideas is a window on the world in which we live and gives adults and children the chance to find out about the sort of things we're interested in at Cambridge University - without having to take any exams!

"It also allows us to travel through time. This year you can find out what it was like to live through the War of the Roses or the trenches of the First World War - as well as having the chance to hear world-leading experts discuss some of today's most pressing issues.

"We have talks on cyberdissidence in the Middle East and the potential for nuclear crisis with North Korea - as well as some lighter stuff. One of the most intriguing sounding lectures this year is called Let us be naked - the regulation of fun in early modern Japan!"

Eagerly anticipated is the appearance of author Jacqueline Wilson on the first Saturday of the Festival (October 23). Guardian columnist Lucy Mangan will speak about her book 'The Reluctant Bride' on the evening of October 29, in a change to the printed programme.

Meanwhile, other stand-out events include the annual Mark Pigott Lecture delivered this year by Princeton University's Professor Linda Colley, who will speak on the topical subject: 'When did the British Constitution become un-written?'.

Other lectures/debates include:

  • Is the West losing its power?
  • The logistics of polar exploration
  • Life on other planets (with Astronomer Royal Martin Rees)
  • Attitudes to body image
  • Capitalism: the myths and prejudices
Family Day at the Festival is October 23 when the doors of many departments will be flung open as they play host to many free interactive events for children.

Nicky Buckley added:

"Behind these thought-provoking and sometimes humorous debates and lectures lies serious research which is constantly changing and rearranging the world as we know it. The Festival programme is jam-packed and we're confident there is something for everyone - no matter what their age or interests."

The full Festival programme, including booking details where necessary, is available from www.cambridgefestivalofideas.org
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