5 Highlights of the Dartington Ways with Words festival: 5th – 15th July 2019

The Dartington Ways with Words Festival is a vibrant and fascinating 10-day literary celebration. It takes place each year at the beautiful Dartington Halls, serving up a satisfying contrast of idyllic surroundings and provocative, challenging ideas.

This is an opportunity for those who read books to meet those who write them. The setting is glorious, the atmosphere is invigorating, and the variety is vast. Celebrate the power of language and ideas in awe-inspiring surroundings.

Ways with Words is one of the highlights of South Devon’s cultural calendar, as well as one of the most significant literary festivals in the country. As it runs for 10 days between the 5th and 15th July, why not time your summer break around it?
This year’s programme is as eclectic as ever, covering practically every genre with a packed programme of events, talks, comedy and workshops from politicians, novelists, comedians, poets, academics and journalists.

As the festival’s president, Roy Hattersley says:

Dartington is unique among literary festivals. It becomes – during those precious summer weeks – a community in which speakers and their audiences share the pleasure of exchanging ideas. The 2019 programme, as always, illustrates that the most distinguished authors in Britain are attracted to Dartington. I know that you will enjoy the time spent in their company as much as I have enjoyed my good fortune in being associated with the Festival.

This year sees the festival embark on new and exciting events including a murder-mystery, a live streamed performance from the Gaza Strip and a large group meditation in the Great Hall. The festival also feature Speakers’ Corner, an exhibition of handmade books in the yurt and a cast selection of family events in their Word Circus, located in various venues around the festival.

Whatever interests you, there’ll be plenty to satisfy your creative side at this year’s festival.

Highlights of 2019’s Ways with Words, Dartington

We’ve picked out five speakers not to miss at 2019’s Ways with Words.

Be sure to book your tickets from the 3rd of July by visiting http://www.wayswithwords.co.uk/

1. Joseph Stiglitz

Great Hall, Friday 5th July at 14:00pm

Nobel Prize winner economist and best-selling author, Joseph Stiglitz’s illustrious career has included stints as the Chairman of President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Chief Economist at the World Bank. Now a Professor at Columbia University and the author of several bestselling books, Stiglitz has become one of the most influential commentators on globalisation, equality and democracy.
Accompany him as he explores the subject of how many have made their wealth by increasing inequality and that the assault on the judiciary, universities and the media undermines the institution that are of economic prosperity and democracy.

2. Stephen Moss

Great Hall, Friday 5th July at 15:30pm

BAFTA award-winning BBC producer explores the ever shifting state of the animal family heirarchies to reveal the intricate social lives of our planet’s most fascinating creatures. Drawing on the kudos of having worked alongside David Attenborough, Alan Tichmarsh and Chris Packham, his evaluation of Dynasties: The Rise and Fall of Animal Families gives an indepth and intriguing insight into the workings of this complex structure.

3. Jack Brown

Barn, Saturday 6th July at 11:45am

Politics and economics always feature strongly at Ways with Words, perhaps unsurprisingly given that the festival’s president is a former government minister. This year, there may be even more focus on these topics than usual, as leading writers and thinkers grapple with the fast-changing political climate, both here and around the world.
As No.10’s first-ever Researcher in Residence, Jack Brown had unprecedented access to people and papers. He sheds new light on unexplored corners of Prime Ministers’ lives and delivers an intimate account of the building at the core of British political power.

4. Madeleine Bunting

Barn, Monday 8th July at 11:45am

Join Madeleine Bunting, best-selling author of non-fiction titles including ‘The Plot’ and ‘Love of Country’, as she delves the challenges of researching and writing her first novel. ‘Island Song’ brings to life a largely untold experience of WWII with its wartime secrets and hidden mysteries. She discusses the psychological toll of living under German occupation and the chaotic reality of human relationships in the tightly knit island community in Guernsey.

5. Jon Plowman

Great Hall, Tuesday 9th July at 13:30pm

With a celebrated 30-year career in the British comedy industry, this acclaimed and multi award winning producer gives an uncensored and intimate insight into how British comedy works. Producer of British comedic staples like ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, ‘The Office’, ‘Little Britain’, ‘French and Saunders’ and ‘Fry and Laurie’, he takes you through the innermost workings of the industry, from the inception of an idea to the grand finale of the Emmy’s.
This is by no means an extensive list, just a taste of the vastly talented creatives that will be presenting their expert views on a plethora of fascinating subjects.

For a little more information about the history of Dartington, take a look at our Dartington village guide.

We highly recommend taking a close look at the festival brochure to find other talks that interest you. For book lovers, the hardest thing is – as always – deciding who not to see!

Book a summer holiday in South Devon this July and make the most of Dartington and everything this literary festival has to offer. Choose from around 400 luxury holiday homes just a short drive way from the estate, and make your next holiday one to savour.

For more summer holiday inspiration, read our blogs:

• Top 10 summer attractions for the summer holidays
• Top 5 things to do near Salcombe on a rainy day!