During Cheltenham Literature Festival 2024 (4–13 October), Cheltenham Festivals collaborated with Lives of Colour to present My Voice, My Cheltenham, an audio-visual project that explored the topic of ‘Home’, and what it means to people of colour living in Cheltenham.

Through this collaboration, together Cheltenham Festivals and Lives of Colour created a platform for local voices to share their unique experiences and perspectives, to champion and celebrate meaningful conversations on belonging, culture, and community.

The project was showcased at Cheltenham Literature Festival in The Snug – a brand-new venue for 2024 – where Festival-goers were invited to experience the installation by picking up a phone and listening to stories from 10 individuals living in Cheltenham. 

Each speaker shared what home means to them, exploring everything from familiar routines to meaningful connections within their community.

Who are Lives of Colour?

Since 2018, Lives of Colour have been helping to educate organisations on the importance of diversity, while elevating the voices of people from ethnically and culturally diverse communities. They work to empower organisations on the importance of equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion, helping them to share best practices for culture change and elevate the voices of diverse communities in Gloucestershire and beyond for equitable futures.

VOICEBOX and #MerkyBooks

As well as this, as part of Cheltenham Literature Festival, VOICEBOX is a unique space designed to empower voices, spark discussions and amplify diverse perspectives. Set up as a vibrant hub for young adults and emerging voices, VOICEBOX hosts a series of thought-provoking events, performances and conversations throughout the Festival. It’s a space that goes beyond traditional Festival programming, inviting audiences to engage with bold ideas and explore contemporary issues that resonate deeply with their own lives and communities. Learn more about our VOICEBOX events here.

In addition to My Voice, My Cheltenham, the Festival once again welcomed #MerkyBooks at VOICEBOX – an award-winning imprint launched by Stormzy and Penguin Random House UK in 2018 with the ambition to publish books that own and transform the mainstream. #MerkyBooks hosted an energetic event where young writers were encouraged to explore and express their narratives.