A new regular literary event launches in London in January with The Conversation – a chance to talk to some of the most interesting thinkers of today.
Hanif Kureishi, Brittany Hughes and Fergal Keane are among the people booked for the even which will run on Tuesday evening and give audiences the chance to join speakers in conversation around cabaret style tables.
The idea has been dreamed up by Peter Florence, former director of the Hay Festival – with the idea of creating a new way to tackle some of the world’s most pressing questions.
Peter Florence Director of The Conversation says: “Each of these writers sets you off on adventures of imagination and action. Themes and experiences resonate through the season – of wonder as well as of deep crisis. And I love the idea of extending the familiar interview format into a wider conversation. It’s wonderful to see what happens when the audience takes up the thoughts and storylines. Trust the room.”
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields since 2012 says: “St Martin in the Fields has always been a beacon of social justice campaigning and action. We hope The Conversation will continue and extend that tradition of questioning and challenging assumptions and narratives, and will celebrate all our many, welcome visitors.”
The series of events will begin on January 14, with Channel Four International Editor Lyndsey Hilsum. The following week philosopher David Spiegelhalter will introduce guests to his thoughts about certainty and probability.
Other guests taking part in the Conversation include environmentalist Robert Macfarlane, historian Bettany Hughes and astronomer Maggie Aderin-Pocock. The full line up can be found below:
