Bath tends to be thought of as a genteel, perhaps even old-fashioned place - splendid tearooms, sweeping Georgian terraces and elegant squares.

Its literary history is associated with the classics. Jane Austen used Bath as a setting and Henry Fielding, Charles Dickens and William Wordsworth all stayed there.

But its 11th literature festival, which begins today, has a more radical feel, with left-leaning and anti-government thinkers featuring strongly.

The controversial philosopher Ted Honderich, whose views on terrorism have meant he has needed police guards at events he has attended on the continent, will give a lecture on Terrorism and the Principle of Humanity.

The political activist Tariq Ali will speak about those who have been turned into dissidents by international political events, and the human rights expert Helena Kennedy will talk about the erosion of civil liberties.

Anti-war views are likely to come from Robin Cook, Tony Benn and Sue Townsend, who will be discussing her book Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Sarah LeFanu, the artistic director of the festival, said: "I think the city does have a genteel image but I don't think that it's entirely accurate any more. I think there is an appetite to hear from people who have an alternative view."

Ms LeFanu chose "hidden histories" for the festival's theme after noticing that many authors had been producing work dealing with their own pasts.

But she also thought the theme applied to the many people writing about current events such as the war in Iraq. "I began to realise there was a lot of material being written about war and violence," she said.

"I think there is increasing interest in current affairs and about books written about conflict. People are prepared to be critical about the government want more information."

Professor Honderich, who has a base near Bath, said he was impressed by the radical feel of the festival. "I think the city is one of those places which is prepared to hear different voices."

His views on the rights of Palestinian people to carry out terrorism have caused protests and, at some events, led to the need for extra security, but such measures are not likely to be needed in Bath.

Away from the field of politics other highlights include an appearance by Kazuo Ishiguro and a festival poem written by Sophie Hannah.