PROGRAMME OF EVENTS This programme was last updated 27 July 2012.
The programme (see below) indicates where you can buy tickets, whether online or in Letchworth at one of the information points.
Each event also will shortly have more information about the event and how to reserve places on its own page on the drop-down menu linked from the Festival programme tab.
To keep up with latest news and alterations to our programme click here
Opening Event: The Orwell Prize Evening, Thursday 20 September 2012 7:30 p.m.
at The Ballroom, The Spirella Building, Letchworth
George Orwell and Jack Common in Wallington, Speaker: Keith Armstrong
Saturday 22 September 2012, 7:30 p.m.
at David’s Bookshop, Eastcheap, Letchworth
Tour & Walk around Wallington
Sunday 23 September 2012
Congratulations on your energy, enthusiasm and commitment in getting together the first George Orwell Festival!
But he did actually apply to join the Brigades. The story is worth telling but there are still old (both aged and ex-) Communists peddling the lie that he was part of the “enemy” of the struggle against Fascism.
According to Wikipedia, which does seem to be right on this:
“In April, Orwell returned to Barcelona where he applied to join the International Brigades to become involved in fighting closer to Madrid. However this was the time of Barcelona May Days and Orwell was caught up in the factional fighting. ……. The subsequent campaign of lies and distortion carried out by the Communist press,[38] in which the POUM was accused of collaborating with the fascists, had a dramatic effect on Orwell. Instead of joining the International Brigades as he had intended, he decided to return to the Aragon Front. Once the May fighting was over, he was approached by a Communist friend who asked if he still intended transferring to the International Brigades. Orwell expressed surprise that they should still want him, because according to the Communist press he was a fascist.[39]“
Hi, I was researching on George Orwell. I didn’t know that there’s a festival dedicated for him. I hope I get to visit the festival next year though.