How to Live a Meaningful Life

How to Live a Meaningful Life

Wars rage, the planet burns, politicians are up to high jinks, and apparently no-one can agree on anything. It’s no wonder we all feel overwhelmed. So, what can we do when life starts to feel too much? How do we remind ourselves what it’s all for anyway?

This strand of events – on philosophy, humour, relationships, and nourishment – is about remembering (and celebrating) the things that make life worth living. We’ve asked incredible writers to present their take on some of the cornerstones of what makes us human – and here’s something of what you can expect:

We’ve got writers talking about resilience, and about how equipping ourselves with knowledge about how our struggles affect us can empower us to navigate through the worst of them.

We’ve got writers talking about paying attention, about the crucial importance of  looking up and showing up and standing with each other, even when it’s hard going, and especially when we don’t fully know what to do.

We’ve got writers talking about how vital it is to pause and reflect.

We’ve got writers talking about how they’ve found meaning in the midst of apparently hopeless situations, talking about what meaning actually means – and faith, too. What does it feel like to have faith? What does it take to keep it?

And we’ve got writers talking about some of life’s greatest joys: food and creativity and nature and laughter. Things that are innately meaningful for the happiness they bring to us… but more than that, they can be powerful tools of solidarity, of holding onto hope, and of standing up to those who would try to knock us down.

This strand is all about the stuff of life, really, and we hope these events will uplift and replenish you.

 

Sarah Moss: New Moon

Sunday 25 August 14:15 - 15:15

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Sarah Moss returns to the Festival with a memoir, My Good Bright Wolf. The bestselling and Women’s Prize-longlisted author confronts the female body in this bold new work. From growing up during feminism’s second wave and coming of age during diet...
 

Out of the Ordinary: A Table Talk with Caroline Eden

Sunday 25 August 15:00 - 16:00

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Caroline Eden describes the kitchen as ‘a portal to the past and other places’ – today she takes us with her as she shares recipes and recollections with Marjorie Lotfi.Join her for a celebration of curiosity and finding home.
 

Jackie Kay: The People's Poet

Sunday 25 August 20:30 - 21:30

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  • Watch online
  • Captioned
Beloved poet, novelist, playwright, and former Makar Jackie Kay joins us with her latest poetry collection, May Day. These profound and urgent poems draw on Kay’s decades of political activism, bringing influential figures from history to life, whilst...