THE 56th Cheltenham Literature Festival starts tomorrow, opening the gates on a fortnight of events bringing together a long list of world-renowned artists.

The theme for this year is freedom and what it means to be free. Linked events will be tackling the questions from different angles, debating democracy today and exploring the limits of freedom and the nature of happiness.

As usual, top names from the worlds of literature, art, history, comedy, theatre and more come together to talk about their books and projects and debate all kinds of topics, topical and ancient.

Highlights include Alan Bennett reading from his new book Untold Stories and David Attenborough talking about his life in broadcasting.

Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident, is discussing his latest book In the Night-Time and Daniel Libeskind, architect of the 9/11 Ground Zero project is talking about his work.

Television favourites will be out in force, with Stephen Fry talking about his new book, An Ode Less Travelled, Rory Bremner discussing his life in satire and two of the nation's best-loved actresses Judi Dench and Prunella Scales are in town, with Dame Judi performing the poetry of Ted Hughes and Prunella discussing her life on the stage.

Flying in from the US is Bret Easton Ellis, looking forward to discussing his new novel, and Chris Patten will be taking the stage to discuss the shape of European democracy.

There will be plenty more brain-teasing, too, when The Times National Su Doku Championships come to town.

Guest directors - one for each weekend - are Dominic Dromgoole, director of The Globe and prize-winning novelist, journalist and commentator Diran Adebayo.

Sarah Smyth, festival director, said: "This year's programme is very exciting indeed, not only because of the Multistory premieres, which will be one of my festival highlights, but also in the tradition of Cheltenham, we'll be tackling some of the major issues of the moment in what will be powerful and heated debates."

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival runs until October 16. Call the brochure hotline on 01242 237377 or the booking hotline on 01242 227979.