Introducing... The Orwell Festival of Political Writing, in partnership with Substack
Great political writing can, and does, change the world and the very best of it will be showcased at the Orwell Festival. This year, we’ve teamed up with Substack and University College London to put on The Orwell Festival. From 22 June to 14 July 2022, online and across London the Festival will bring together our shortlisted writers, judges, and special guests, to answer some of the most pressing questions in political writing and thinking today.
Our selection of events will feature some of the most significant thinkers and newsmakers of recent times. Speakers include former Downing Street advisor Dominic Cummings in his first public appearance since leaving Number Ten, environmentalist George Monbiot and former Governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten.
The festival will open with Rebecca Solnit, whose Orwell Festival lecture will explore themes from her book Orwell's Roses. We also welcome back two of last year's Orwell Prize winners: Ali Smith, whose latest work is set in the heart of lockdown, and Joshua Yaffa, who has been reporting from Ukraine for the New Yorker. The Festival will culminate, at the closing ceremony on Thursday 14 July 2022, in the announcement of the winners of The Orwell Prizes.
AMONG THE 2022 ORWELL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS…
* Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s claim over Taiwan have brought retaliatory grievances back to the forefront of politics. In 1944, Orwell lambasted Otto von Bismarck and the ‘modern cult of “realism”’ for whipping up ‘the revanchiste spirit in France’, leading to a long conflict in Europe. Join us as we welcome Dominic Cummings, Richard Evans, Gideon Rachman and Katja Hoyer to unpack Bismarck’s understanding of political power. Is the German Empire’s first Chancellor’s approach to politics still relevant? Thursday 23 June - 7pm BST - London. Get your tickets here.
* Rebecca Solnit hosts our annual Orwell Festival Lecture in London - 7pm BST - Weds 22 June - inspired by her book Orwell’s Roses. She'll explore George Orwell’s involvement with plants, particularly flowers, and how they illuminated his other commitments as a writer and anti-fascist. Tickets here.
* Meet last year’s Orwell winner and discover her latest book. Companion Piece is of-the-moment, set in the 2021 lockdown in “this land of union-jack-the-lads”. What do you do when you’re feeling lonely and someone from years ago gets in touch, needing help? Ali Smith is the author of the Seasonal Quartet, including Summer, which won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction 2021. Ali will be chatting to artist and filmmaker Sarah Wood. Wednesday 6 July - 6.30pm BST - London. Get your tickets here.
* George Orwell said it’s "of the deepest importance to try and determine what England is, before guessing what part England can play in the huge events that are happening”. Award-winning journalist and editor-in-chief of the New Statesman Jason Cowley joins us to explore what Orwell called ‘the social atmosphere of the country’. He will probe what Englishness means today and ask how we became so divided - and what a new politics of the common good might mean. Tuesday 5 July - 7pm BST - London. Tickets here.
And much much more. On 27th June at UCL, Kojo Karam talks to Grace Blakely about his now Orwell Prize shortlisted book Uncommon Wealth and the aftermath of the British Empire. On 12th July J. O. Morgan will be with us to discuss his time-bending novel, Appliances, which is shortlisted for this year’s Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. And new events with Orwell Prize finalists are still being announced. You can find the most recent schedule on The Orwell Festival website. Or visit the Orwell Foundation website to find out more about our work.
If you’re looking for the inside track on all our prizes and events, you’re already in the right place. Throughout the Festival we’ll share new writing and exclusive interviews from this year’s Orwell Prize finalists on our Substack. And, for subscribers, there’ll also be a chance to contribute to discussion threads on Foundation events.
The Orwell Prizes’ Substack is free and open to all - all you need to do is subscribe.