The grand name reflects what a big and important festival this has become, in a relatively short time. It now features local faces (and indeed the pupils of Magdalen College School which hosts much of the festival) alongside the likes of Darcy Bussell, Mark Ramprakash, Michael Frayn, Wendy Cope and Shirley Williams.
As well as talks and debates all arts disciplines are explored in well over 100 events. There's a day of art and craft workshops (Sat 24th June), a very diverse day of music (Sun 25th), and a day dedicated to Cricket and South Asian culture (Sun 2nd July).
In amongst this there are free outdoor film screenings, a reinvention of Oliver Twist looking at modern-day homelessness, and an improvised Jane Austen, as well as gin and gelato tastings. It's a good mix of events to join in with and events to watch or listen to.
Many events are in the Marquee on MCS playing fields, though they also spread out across the city, and ticket prices vary from totally free to around £30 for some workshops. Most tickets are £6-£10, with concessions and U18s mostly £2 per event.
