Everything that’s great about the Sunday papers distilled and brought to you as a live experience
Celebrate the joys of the Day of Rest this month when Sunday Papers Live returns to Cambridge Union on 27 October. A chance to see the broadsheets brought to life, section by section, while you put your feet up and enjoy delicious food and drink, the event features talks by some of the most engaging speakers in the UK.
It’s hosted by My Little Festival, organisers of Wild Wood Disco and family festival Rumpus, and comes to the city as part of this year’s Festival of Ideas. With the Union serving as a grand backdrop, guests can sip on bloody marys, mimosas and wine, as well as enjoying a Sunday roast-inspired sandwich from the fantastic Bread & Meat. There’s a recycled art session to join in with, too, plus – like all good Sundays – there’s a leisurely walk on the cards, led by Cambridge On Foot and promising to reveal plenty of fascinating facts about the city.
“We once again have access to an amazing array of speakers through the Festival of Ideas, Sunday Papers Live in London and our own network of great artists and performers,” enthuses My Little Festival’s, Alex Ruczaj. “The theme of this year’s Cambridge Festival of Ideas is ‘change’ and has led us to programme speakers that will inspire positive change in our audience. Imagine reading the very best features and articles that the Sunday papers offer and feeling inspired to learn, do, think, read and eat differently. We offer you that as a live experience, as well as a place to relax, laugh and enjoy being with family and friends.’’
Highlights from the programme are sure to include leading geneticist Giles Yeo, who will be cutting through the mumbo jumbo to delve into the world of dieting. Sharing findings from his 20 years’ expertise studying obesity and the brain control of food intake, he’ll take on the clean eating trend, the Paleo diet and more, taking a close look at our obsession with calorie counting.
Meanwhile, Tim FitzHigham, writer, comedian and holder of several unusual world records, discusses some of his wackier endeavours, from running across deserts in suits of armour to taking a bathtub on the high seas.
It’s hard to escape Brexit chat at the moment, and with B Day looming just days after SPL takes place, poet and writer John Osborne brings his light, humorous touch to the issue dividing the nation. An equally spiky subject, hedgehogs, is in the spotlight with Hugh Warwick, who’ll be explaining how these prickly critters could form an unlikely centrepiece for ecological and societal transformation.
World news is covered, too, with journalist Azadeh Moaveni, who has been covering the Middle East for two decades, while Dr Magdalena Zawisza, renowned consumer psychologist, tackles the portrayal of gender in advertising. Giving a local flavour will be Emma Thompson, ecologist and founder of Cambridge’s zero waste pioneers, Full Circle. After moving from the front line of conservation science to setting up a company that helps people tread more lightly on the planet, she’ll offer advice on tackling food waste, minimising consumption and reusing, repairing and sharing.
All sound good? Grab yourself a ticket from the My Little Festival website, priced at £15 for adults and £10 for 12-16 years. The event runs from 12pm to 5.30pm.
