WOMAD has this week revealed the lineup at the esteemed World of Words, the hub of creativity at the heart of the festival celebrating all things spoken, a celebration of language, expression, discussion, and debate to provoke and entertain.
World of Words brings together inspiring and creative people from all walks of life to meet festivalgoers to discuss, listen, discover, and learn.
A diverse array of authors will bring their books to life and ignite discussions on a variety of topics. Among them, Oliver Franklin-Wallis will delve into the global waste industry in his book “Wasteland”, while Miles Richardson will explore how to establish a sustainable future in “Reconnection: Fixing our Broken Relationship with Nature”.
Heriberto Araiyo will tell the true story of the Amazon rainforest’s assault in “Masters of the Lost Land”, and Ali Goldsworthy will examine the societal and political factors that drive hostility in “Poles Apart”. Jyoti Patel will discuss her debut novel “The Things That We Lost”, and Rosie Wilby will debate the future of relationships in “The Breakup Monologues”. Other panels will tackle questions such as the relevance of monogamy, the monarchy, and privacy in the digital world.
On the music side of things, Anna Gabriel will discuss “Reverberation” and its connection to promoting healthier sleep, creativity, productivity, and better sex. Glenn Tilbrook will delve into the evolution of songwriting, while Gurinder Chadha will talk about her eclectic music choices in film soundtracks.
Additional speakers include Gus Hoyt on the importance of breath, A.C. Grayling on philosophy and life, James Read on gut health and fermented foods, Ravinder Bhogal on the “no borders” kitchen, and The Hip Yak Poetry Shack featuring a lineup of talented poets such as Michael Rosen, Joelle Taylor, and Salena Godden. The stage is hosted by Liv Torc, Jonny Fluffypunk, and Chris Redmond and will feature other poets like Adjei Sun, Elvis McGonagall, and Zena Edwards.
The festival will also offer a special poetry show dedicated to the NHS and “The Big Girls Village” to explore women’s experiences during the lockdown. The ever-popular OneTrackMinds will return, as will Mr. B’s Books, Giant Interactive Crosswords, and the Sunday Morning Newspapers Panel.
TICKET PRICES
3 days: £210
4 days: £260
Teenage 3 days: £100 (names of teenagers must be registered when purchasing tickets)
SN16 resident 4 days with camping: £135
Full Price Spa weekend: £180
Camp WOMAD x 2-man tent £190
Camp WOMAD x 4-man tent £290
La Di Da Loo: £55
Children 13 and under FREE (but still need ticket)
WOMAD FESTIVAL UK 2023 – Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, UK, SN16 9DG – 27-30 JULY 2023
