This image: The cast of Austentatious
It’s year two for the celebration of all things history from the team behind Cambridge Literary Festival
A feast of history and heritage against the backdrop of a grand old country pile, Wimpole History Festival is poised to return for its second outing from 22 to 24 June. From talks and tours to workshops, kids’ activities and a chance to step back in time with living history enactments, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
Go on an adventure across Europe with author, broadcaster and anthropologist Alice Roberts, who’ll be unearthing the fascinating history of the Iron Age ancestors we call the Celts, or join Sarah Churchwell for a piercing exposition of Trump’s USA and the American dream. The original ‘dream’ was something quite different to what it became a century ago and that we think of now.
TV historian David Olusoga will be charting the story of black Britons from Afro-Roman times to the present, while Thomas Williams presents a remarkable new history of the Vikings.
Brexit is placed in its historical context, with its potential future place in the world debated, while Bridget Kendall contemplates spies and nerve agents with Peter Pomerantsev, whose Nothing is True and Everything is Possible was a revealing insight behind Putin’s Russia.
Kate Mosse and Tracy Borman will discuss their latest novels and Sarah Dunant presents a special audience edition of Radio 4’s When Greeks Flew Kites. To close the festival, Mary Beard teams up with Olusoga with an examination of history through the lens of global culture.
Festival director Cathy Moore said: “We are building upon last year’s success to present a roll-call of historians who will help us retrace and piece together our shared histories. This is the power of history: to boggle minds, provide keys and answers.”
Austentatious, the play taking a whimsical look at all things Jane Austen, returns after being a hit last year, and, with yoga, ceilidh dancing and scything just some of the other things to watch out for, there’s plenty to do.
Tickets are available now. For the full programme and booking info, visit the Wimpole History Festival website wimpolehistoryfestival.com
This image: Wimpole Hall
