About this Event
For this year's event, we will explore the writer's journey, inviting our guests to discuss their work, their creative lives and the ideas that shape their practice.
Hughes Hall Annual Literary Day 2027 features: Ali Smith in conversation with Burhan Sönmez; Rebecca Birrell in conversation with Megan Hunter; Poets Claudine Toutoungi and Abigail Parry in conversation with Angela Leighton.
We hope you will join us for what promises to be another exciting programme.
Accessibility
Information about the site can be found on our AccessAble page.
Agenda
🕑: 03:30 PM - 03:35 PM
Welcome and introduction
🕑: 03:35 PM - 04:25 PM
Rebecca Birrell in conversation with Megan Hunter
Host: Rebecca Birrell
Info: Megan Hunter will interview Rebecca Birrell about her ‘magnificent debut’ (Publishers Weekly) Venus Vanishing, and about her journey as a novelist, critic, art historian, and curator. Rebecca will also give a slide presentation about her research, exploring the art and other materials that inspired her novel.
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:20 PM
Claudine Toutoungi and Abigail Parry, in conversation with Angela Leighton
Host: Claudine Toutoungi
Info: Acclaimed poets Claudine Toutoungi and Abigail Parry will read from their works, and discuss their writing journeys and interests with fellow poet, Angel Leighton.
🕑: 05:20 PM - 05:40 PM
Tea break
🕑: 05:40 PM - 06:30 PM
Ali Smith in conversation with Burhan Sönmez
Host: Ali Smith
Info: Ali Smith will be in conversation with Burhan Sönmez to discuss her 2026 Dublin Literary Award winning novel Gliff. Taking the novel as a starting point, the discussion will shed light on the author's literary journey and her place in world literature.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:35 PM
Thanks
🕑: 06:35 PM - 07:00 PM
Book signing
Event venue & nearby stays
Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, Hughes Hall, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.