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Celebrating the power of the written word, Buxton leads the way in conversation and debate at the BIF Book Festival 2023.
With an enviable line-up of authors, commentators and politicians, we are spoilt for choice with the calibre of speakers this year.
One of the linking themes across the books programme is lived experience. Several amazing women talk about their achievements and aspirations. Two sitting MPs discuss two very different books. And welcome returners, include Polly Toynbee and Colin Grant.
Read on for your taster of the Book Festival this summer 👉 |
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Dame Kate Bingham and Tim Hames
The Long Shot: The Inside Story of the Race to Vaccinate Britain |
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A riveting behind-the-scenes account of one of the most monumental public health efforts in history.
Bingham’s masterful storytelling weaves intricate narratives of scientific innovation, unprecedented collaboration, and relentless determination. Navigating the turbulent waters of vaccine development amidst a pandemic, this book brings to light the untold stories of heroes battling against the ticking clock. This is not just a tale about a vaccine; it’s a saga of courage, tenacity, and groundbreaking triumph. |
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Jeremy Deller
Art is Magic
‘Art Is Magic’ is Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller’s attempt to connect the key works of his career with the art, pop music, film, politics and history that have inspired them. These include his inflatable Stonehenge and his miners’ strike film The Battle of Orgreave. |
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The Countess of Carnarvon
The Earl and the Pharaoh: From the Real Downton Abbey to Tutankhamun
The 5th Earl of Carnarvon is famous for financially backing the excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb and dying shortly afterwards, fuelling rumours of ‘the curse of the pharaohs’. The current Countess draws on un-plumed archives from his home, and her own, Highclere Castle (better known as Downton Abbey) to chart the twists of luck and tragedies that shaped his life. |
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Ed Stourton
Confessions
The world has changed during Ed Stourton’s forty-year career in journalism (BBC, ITN, Channel Four) and so has he. Brought face-to-face with the author of his obituary and his own inevitable mortality, Ed is prompted to reflect on his life and the events, from the end of Empire to #metoo, that have shaped him. |
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Isabella Tree
The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small
The enormity of climate change and biodiversity loss can leave us feeling overwhelmed. This book is a handbook for how we can all help restore nature. |
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Tomiwa Owelade
This is Not America: Why We Need a Different Conversation on Race
Across the West, racial injustice has become a matter of urgency. In his new book New Statesman contributing writer Tomiwa Owolade argues that, in the rush to get it right, we have been looking in the wrong place. Too much of the debate around racism in Britain is viewed through the prism of American ideas that do not reflect the history, challenges and achievements of black communities at home. |
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Tracy Borman
Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I; The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History
Piecing together evidence from original documents and artefacts, this book tells the story of Anne Boleyn’s relationship with, and influence over her daughter Elizabeth. In so doing, it sheds new light on two of the most famous and influential women in history. |
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Sarah Raven and Adam Nicholson
A Year Full of Veg: A Harvest for Every Season and
How to Be: Life Lessons from the Early Greeks
Sarah Raven’s latest book details her gardening philosophies, while giving a guide to growing the best seasonal veg.  She’s joined on stage by her husband Adam Nicholson. His book How to Be: Life Lessons from the Early Greeks is a reintroduction to our earliest thinkers and a glorious exploration of our connections with the past.
Sarah and Adam will be in conversation with social historian (and Adam’s sister) Juliet Nicolson who is currently working on a book on the evolving nature of secrecy in the last 100 years. Very much a family affair who knows where this exploration of personal philosophies may wander. |
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Other not-to-be-missed book events include Colin Grant (14 July), with his poignant family memoir I’m Black So You Don’t Have To Be tracing Colin’s own life in Britain as the son of Jamaican parents, exploring the meaning of kin, race and identity.
Prominent social commentator Polly Toynbee (8 July) uses the prism of her own remarkable family to examine the stubborn lack of class mobility in Britain.
Journalist Gary Younge (7 July) talks about his book Dispatches from the Diaspora: From Nelson Mandela to Black Lives Matter; a powerful collection of journalism on race, racism and black life and death from one of the nation’s leading political voices.
Royal Society Science Book Prize winner Gaia Vince (7 July), discusses how we can plan for unavoidable climate migration while we restore the planet to a fully habitable state.
Jonathan Kennedy (19 July) joins us to talk about his fascinating new book Pathogenesis: How Infectious Diseases Shaped Human History.
Chief art critic of The Times Laura Freeman (13 July) speaks about her new book Ways of Life – a biography of Kettle’s Yard creator Jim Ede. |
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Join the Buxton International Festival board!
Are you an ambitious young arts professional, under the age of 35, who would like an opportunity to learn how major opera and music companies operate from the inside?
BIF is now looking for a new Young Associate Director to join us from November 2023 and another to join from November 2024. If you are interested, are under 35, and think you have the right ambitions and skills, we would love to hear from you!
There are four Board meetings a year. One is held via Zoom, two in London, and one in Buxton. The latter is a full day event, which includes a half day review and look ahead with staff, volunteers, Friends and other stake holders.  Board Directors receive no remuneration or expenses but Young Associate Directors are reimbursed for all expenses incurred.
To apply please send a brief CV and a covering letter telling us why you are interested to:
Lee Barnes, Administrator: lee.barnes@buxtonfestival.co.uk |
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