Oct 22 - Literary Festival Programme Announced
The Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival today announces a stellar line- up of international authors for its 2014 programme. The Festival, commissioned by the Government of Gibraltar and curated by the organisers of the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival, returns to the Rock following the success of last year’s inaugural event.
This year the festival is extremely excited to announce that Man Booker Prize winner, Ben Okri, will launch his new novel The Age of Magic accompanied by the Orchestra of St John’s. As well as talking in-depth about his first new work in seven years, he will select pieces of music which will then be performed. Bestselling author, Kate Mosse, will also be introducing her new novel, The Taxidermist’s Daughter, set in a rural Sussex village in 1912 where a grisly murder has taken place. Mosse’s novels include the acclaimed international bestsellers, The Winter Ghosts, Citadel and Labyrinth. Her works have sold more than five million copies internationally in 42 languages.
Other leading authors and high-profile guests include philosopher, AC Grayling, who will give the Kusuma Trust Lecture where he will examine the nature of friendship and the significance it plays in our lives. Broadcaster and entertainer Nicholas Parsons will be recounting the most hilarious moments from his six decades and 900 episodes as presenter of Radio 4’s hugely popular Just a Minute.
Joanne Harris, celebrated author of 13 novels including Chocolat, will present a session on storytelling in word and song. Harris has a lifelong passion for Norse myths and will tell stories with Icelandic, Scandinavian, French and Celtic origins.
She will also be joined by Ben Okri, who will draw on the myths and beliefs of his African heritage. Musical accompaniment will be provided by The Bookshop Band.
Other musical events include leading Jazz Poet Jeremy Robson introducing his new collection of poetry with readings by the celebrated actress, Maureen Lipman (The Pianist, Coronation Street), as well as a performance from well-known jazz singer, Jacqui Dankworth, who has worked with Paloma Faith and Gregory Porter. British- Nigerian singer, Patti Boulaye, will also perform a special festival concert in the spectacular surroundings of Gibraltar’s St Michael’s Cave.
Food will feature heavily in this year’s festival programme with a series of special talks and events. World authority on Indian food, Madhur Jaffrey, will be preparing a lunch at the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Food writer, Claudia Roden, will host a literary lunch with a menu influenced by recipes from her many successful cookery books. Roden was born and brought up in Cairo and her bestselling A Book of Middle Eastern Food revolutionised attitudes to Middle Eastern cuisine when it was published in 1968.
A section of the programme will also explore politics and history. Former cabinet minister, Jonathan Aitken, will be discussing the life of Margaret Thatcher. Ex- editor of the Observer and China expert Jonathan Fenby will argue that it is not inevitable that China will go on to dominate the 21st century. Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey, will be discussing some of the major moral dilemmas of the 21st century.
Children’s authors at this year’s festival include Katherine Rundell, winner of the Waterstones children's book prize 2014 will be talking about her award winning book Rooftoppers, partly inspired by her own night-time trespassing on the roofs of Oxford’s historic colleges. Carnegie Medal winner Sally Gardner will present her new book The Matchbox Mysteries, the fourth in the Wings & Co series, which has been hailed as ‘Agatha Christie for kids’.
This year’s programme will also examine the interesting heritage of Gibraltar and the wider Mediterranean that comes from its location between Europe and Africa. Singer Françoise Atlan will investigate the history of Jewish music from the Mediterranean focusing on Gibraltar’s ancient Sephardic Jewish community and also perform a number of tracks. Travel writer, Barnaby Rogerson, will explore the mystique surrounding Marrakesh through writing. A panel of speakers including Alex Furest from the National Catalan Assembly will debate the highly topical issue of Catalan independence.
Neil Costa, Gibraltar's Minister for Tourism said: “We are delighted to be hosting the second ever literary festival in Gibraltar. Last year’s event was a resounding success and we look forward to welcoming back some of the world’s foremost literary talent. Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar is fully committed to the development of event led tourism and the Festival is now established as a leading light in our annual calendar of cultural activities.”
Sally Dunsmore, Festival Director, said: “This year’s programme has more than 50 different international speakers coming to Gibraltar - from best-selling authors, to celebrated chefs, broadcasters and world famous musicians. Gibraltar has a unique cultural heritage and we hope the Festival will continue to confirm Gibraltar’s reputation on the global literary map.”
Tickets for the 2014 Festival are now on sale. Visit gibraltarliteraryfestival.com for more information.
