Writers, critics, historians and actors are descending on the Cheltenham Literature Festival, which has been opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Broadcaster Kate Adie and author Ian Rankin are guest directors of the 10-day event, now in its 59th year.
The theme of the festival is the family, and how it shapes who people are and how they live, read and write.
Speakers include actress Julie Walters, author Jilly Cooper, and Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies.
The festival will feature more than 450 writers and in excess of 350 events.
Final taboo
Mr Brown took a break from dealing with the global financial crisis to open the festival.
He balanced a discussion on the economy with promotion for his forthcoming book on wartime courage, during a talk at Cheltenham Town Hall.
Adie will tackle political correctness on the opening weekend of the event, with strong views on food expected from Two Fat Ladies star Clarissa Dickson Wright.
There will also be a look into a politically correct future, and the restrictions of politically correct language facing the BBC's long-running programme From Our Own Correspondent.
Rankin, who takes to the helm for the second weekend, has promised "art, crime, dissent and even perhaps a helping of controversy", with a focus on censorship, sex and taboo.
Cooper takes a candid look at sex on the page, Will Self confronts the final taboos in writing, and Scottish artist Jack Vettriano contemplates his work and influence on popular culture.
In a series of events looking at the challenges that face a modern family, TV presenter Richard Madeley joins sociologist Frank Furedi to assess the changing role of the father.
Booker Prize-shortlisted author Linda Grant will explore the complex portrayal of families in literature, along with fellow writers Sadie Jones, Isabel Fonseca and Fay Weldon.
Actors Julie Walters, Sheila Hancock and John Barrowman also discuss their lives.
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