MYTHICAL dragons and mysterious islands were the hot topics at the opening of this year’s Oxford Literary Festival.

Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of children’s novels How To Train Your Dragon, captivated guests at the Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday.

She spoke with writer and critic Nicolette Jones about her series of 12 books, which tell the story of a Viking tribe training dragons as pets and were adapted for the big screen by DreamWorks.

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Tony Hawks

Comedian Tony Hawks, as well as historian and broadcaster Simon Schama, were also among the stars who opened the 19th annual festival.

A lucky few enjoyed lunch in the company of Mr Schama in the 15th century Divinity School within the Bodleian library.


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Mr Schama, a former Brasenose College fellow, was happy to be back in the historic setting.

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Simon Schama

Liz Pichon, author of children’s book series Tom Gates, was due to feature at the Sheldonian Theatre yesterday but had to cancel after receiving news her mother had died.

Former Oxfordshire county councillor, now Green MP for Brighton Caroline Lucas yesterday gave a sell-out audience at the Oxford Martin School in Broad Street an insight into the oddities – amusing and shocking – of how Parliament operates.

Today crime writer MC Beaton will appear at the Weston Lecture Theatre from 4pm, while Indian writer Amitav Ghosh will join an event at the Sheldonian Theatre, in Broad Street, from 6pm.

Tickets can be booked online up to one hour before the start of an event or at Blackwell’s bookshop, in Broad Street, between 10am-4.30pm.

The Oxford Mail’s sister paper The Oxford Times is this year’s official regional partner, with the Financial Times Weekend edition the event’s main sponsor.

See oxfordliteraryfestival.org for further information.