Oxford Literary Festival

The Bodleian Libraries logo beside the logo for the Oxford Literary Festival

SPECIAL EVENT

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Oxford Literary Festival

  Saturday 29 March – Sunday 6 April 2025

   For full information and to book tickets
 visit  oxfordliteraryfestival.org

About the Oxford Literary Festival

The Oxford Literary Festival brings together leading authors and public figures in a magnificent setting in the central university area of Oxford each year. The Bodleian Libraries is a proud cultural partner to the festival, with many talks and events taking place at our sites.

Festival Hub

The Weston Library’s Blackwell Hall is the festival hub for this year’s Oxford Literary Festival. Find us on Broad Street, opposite the Sheldonian Theatre.

We will be running extended opening hours at the Weston Library from Sunday 29 March to Sunday 6 April. Blackwell Hall, the café and our exhibitions will be open:

Monday – Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 9am – 4pm

Café, toilets and shop

The Weston Library café serves a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks, freshly-made soups, salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, cakes and pastries. Toilets are located next to the café.

Oxford Literary Festival ticket holders can get 10% off in-store at the Bodleian Libraries gift shops – show your ticket to claim your discount. (Exclusions apply, not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Ask in-store for details.)

Selected highlights

The Bodley Lecture and Award of the Bodley Medal: Life and Work
Don McCullin talks to Richard Ovenden

Thursday, 3 April 2025, 6–7pm | Sheldonian Theatre

British photojournalist Sir Donald McCullin talks about his life and work in conversation with Bodley’s Librarian Richard Ovenden and receives the Bodley Medal for his outstanding contribution to photography and journalism.

More information and tickets

CS Lewis’s Oxford: Simon Horobin introduced by Samuel Fanous

Wednesday 2 April 2025, 10–11am | Weston Lecture Theatre

Expert in medieval literature Professor Simon Horobin looks at the role Oxford played in the work of CS Lewis and explains how it helps us to understand the author of the Narnia stories as a student, scholar and teacher. He will be introduced by Samuel Fanous, Head of Bodleian Library Publishing.

More information and tickets

Einstein in Oxford: Andrew Robinson introduced by Samuel Fanous

Wednesday 2 April 2025, 4–5pm | Weston Lecture Theatre

Writer Andrew Robinson tells the story of Einstein’s time in Oxford and uncovers a less familiar side to the world’s most famous scientist. He will be introduced by Samuel Fanous, Head of Bodleian Library Publishing.

More information and tickets

 Location

Various locations. Please visit the Oxford Literary Festival website for more information about individual events.

 Admission

 For full information and to book tickets visit oxfordliteraryfestival.org

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