There’s a global theme at this year’s Llangwmlitfest.
Dora Duka’s Greek cookery talk and taste will take you through the scrumptious dishes of the Eastern Mediterranean. Then comes Switzerland with best-selling author, Miranda Seymour, for the explosive liaison between Lord Byron and Mary Shelley that resulted in the birth of their diabolical lovechild, Frankenstein. Down next to the sultry lavender fields of Provence with Dr Stephanie Matthews for the murder and mystery of the Drummond Affair.
But Europe is just the start. Barnaby Rogerson invites you to accompany him on a fascinating exploration of Islam and its origins in the Middle East, closely followed by Letterston’s Professor Avi Shlaim, taking you on his journey from Baghdad through Israel to Britain with his engrossing Memoirs of an Arab Jew. The rest of the world? Well, much of that is covered in Professor Nigel Biggar’s fascinating and nuanced study Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning.
For those who are looking for something closer to home, Dr Toby Driver will shed light on the wonders of Welsh Iron Age Hillforts, and The Bishop of St Davids is coming to share his spiritual life.
Closer to Llangwm itself, the Cleddau provides the backbone of the festival with Creatures of the Cleddau children’s creative workshop, and a forage on the estuary with Julia Horton-Mansfield.
And for those who dream of writing a book, but always put it off, Llangwm’s Pippa the Pen and friends are running a writing workshop Inspired by the Cleddau.
And it is not just books at Llangwm this year, there’s craft on August 9 and 10 at St Jerome’s, and art in the village hall throughout; and there’s even The Bookshop Band on its way back from Glastonbury with its new album produced by Pete Townshend.
Whatever, the weather, visitors can be assured of a warm welcome on the Cleddau.
The Llangwm Literary Festival takes place between August 9 and 11, 2024 in Llangwm. For more information, contact [email protected], visit the website: www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk or follow Llangwmlitfest on social media.