A BOOK lovers’ paradise will take centre stage at this year’s 19th Oxford Literary Festival.

Blackwell’s, the official bookseller for the nine-day event, has revealed it will host its Festival Marquee at the heart of this month’s celebrations.

Up to 40,000 visitors are expected to pass through the special marquee, which will offer literary fans a piece of tranquility during the festivities.

It will be the only place guests from across the world will able to buy books penned by festival speakers before sitting back and enjoying their new find.

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Blackwell’s deputy manager Zool Verjee, 39, said: “It’s the hub.

It’s the place where people can gather. It’s really important to create this area where people can just relax and enjoy the great selection of books. It’s part of what makes it feel like a festival. It’s something different and quite special.”

The Festival Marquee, which will be manned by up to 12 Blackwell’s staff members, will feature a seating area alongside refreshments.

It is the first time the marquee will sit next to the Sheldonian Theatre, in Broad Street, after spending years next to Christ Church in St Aldate’s.

And staff will also host a number of their own events including illustration workshops.

Mr Verjee said about 3,500 books, including recently-published titles and bestsellers, will be on offer to all book fans.

He added: “It’s not all about buying books. They can just enjoy what’s going on and drink in the atmosphere.”

Award-winning authors, politicians, historians and journalists from across the world will join the festival between Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 29.

More than 250 events are lined up for the festival, with 500 speakers from 20 different countries coming together.

Events will take place at Christ Church, in St Aldate’s, the Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library, both in Broad Street, as well as Corpus Christi College, in Merton Street.

Mr Verjee, of Botley, said: “The festival is for anyone that loves books and loves meeting writers.

It’s a real pleasure to be part of it.

“You get these options to meet people and hear a perception of the book that you would not get from reading the book. You get to have a unique glimpse into their life. There’s a real buzz to it. The city does change a great deal.”

Booker Prize winner and novelist Kazuo Ishiguro launched the annual festivities during a special preview event at Oxford Town Hall on Thursday.

Other speakers include Nobel Prize-winning scientist Professor Eric Kandel, Indian writer Amitav Ghosh, cookery writer Madhur Jaffrey, broadcaster and author Melvyn Bragg, actress Celia Imrie, wildlife presenter Bill Oddie and historian Simon Schama.

The festival will also celebrate the nation’s favourite children’s books, including a special event with Oxford-based author Philip Pullman.

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.