The next Church Times Festival of Faith & Literature will take place in person in Winchester in February 2023, as announced by Christian charity and publisher, Hymns Ancient and Modern.
Until now, the ‘literary festival with a theological slant’ has been held every other year since 2010 in the village of Bloxham, Oxfordshire, ending with a sell-out programme in February 2020 just before the arrival of the pandemic. Since then, a series of popular half-day online Festivals took place with speakers including Stephen Cottrell, Francis Spufford, and many more. Now the festival has a new home in Winchester, with Winchester Cathedral and the University of Winchester.
Believed to the only literary event in the UK with a focus primarily on faith, the event promises to bring an exciting programme together. It will feature – as always – a mix of talks, readings and discussions with music, art and drama – with high standards of comfort, catering and accessibility. It is hoped the new home will delight and enthuse the festival’s many supporters.
Commenting on the move, Festival Director, Sarah Meyrick said: ‘After a happy decade in Oxfordshire, we’re very excited about our move to Winchester. The Cathedral and university offer a wonderful mix of ancient and modern as a backdrop to our festival. It will be so good to be meeting in person again and we’re looking forward to welcoming speakers and festival-goers, whether they are joining us for the first time or are old friends of the festival. We can assure you that there will be the usual rich diet of treats to enjoy.’
A full programme and ticket arrangements will be available from early September 2022, but early confirmed speakers include Rowan Williams, Stephen Cottrell and Karen Armstrong.
