The idea that the market is the best means to regulate society has been the dominant ideology of British life for 30 years. But if the banking crisis has put paid to the idea that ‘the market knows best’, is the only alternative a return to widespread nationalisation and the domination of the state? Or are new forms of local governance possible? Margaret Thatcher’s former speechwriter Ferdinand Mountjoins Jules Goddard, author of Uncommon Sense, Common Nonsense and Andri Snær Magnason, Icelandic author of Dreamland: A Self-Help Manual for a Frightened Nation to take up the debate.
THE FABLE OF THE HUNGRY ICELANDER
Tuesday 14 August
9:00pm – 11:00pm
The Guardian Spiegeltent
UNBOUND
THE FABLE OF THE HUNGRY ICELANDER
Free & Drop-in
Iceland: sagas & myths, geysers & volcanic ash, big jumpers & impressively long names, and that frozen food company. The stereotypes are many and probably very irritating for the people that live there, but in recent years Iceland has continually produced a remarkable range of new literary voices creating an exciting contemporary literary scene. This has been capped with Reykjavik, the city of the ‘jólabokaflód’, becoming UNESCO City of Literature in 2011. Sjón is an award-winning poet, musician, novelist and now Book Festival regular. Join him as he hosts a very special event with some of Iceland’s finest writers and musicians including Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Kristín Ómarsdóttir and Andri Snær Magnason.
Presented in partnership with The Icelandic Literature Fund.
Our Unbound series of events offer a literary experience like no other. Free and on every night in the Guardian Spiegeltent in Charlotte Square Gardens, anything goes: storytelling, music, performance, poetry, stand-up – it’s a raw, surprising, sometimes emotional ride. Come with an open mind!
Part of our Unbound series of events.