This year’s Guernsey Literary Festival features events covering entertainment, music, art, food, fiction, poetry, history, politics and sport as well as debates on artificial intelligence and smart phones and a gardeners’ question time.
The programme opens with two big hitters, fashion designer and Great British Sewing Bee TV presenter Patrick Grant, and human rights campaigner Baroness
Shami Chakrabarti, both at St James.
From April 25th to May 4th, the annual festival will host over 52 public events featuring prominent figures like Tom Kerridge, Dawn O’Porter, Jon Sopel, Shami Chakrabarti, Levison Wood, Chloe Dalton, and Jonnie Peacock, among others.
Festival Director Claire Allen is: “delighted with the range of speakers and events we have this year. I really think there is something for everybody.’
“‘As well as our many main speakers, we have a selection of local author events and writing workshops, an international poetry competition, and outreach activities in care homes and the prison. We are excited to offer a variety of family events, a schools programme and a writing competition for local students.”
Festival Honorary Chairman Sir Terry Waite KCMG, CBE, pointing to the importance of the Festival to Guernsey, said that not only does it make a significant contribution to the cultural life of the island, “but it also aids the economy by bringing many new visitors.”
The festival opens with fashion designer Patrick Grant and human rights advocate Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, setting the stage for discussions ranging from fashion sustainability to the defense of human rights. Events cover a broad spectrum including entertainment, music, art, food, fiction, poetry, history, politics, and sports. Notably, there are debates on artificial intelligence and smartphone addiction, alongside community-focused activities like a gardeners’ question time.
With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, the festival includes 15 Education Programme events and five outreach initiatives, ensuring engagement across all demographics. Local authors feature prominently, reflecting Guernsey’s literary talent and heritage. The festival also supports community engagement through events in care homes and Les Nicolles Prison, underscoring its commitment to cultural enrichment and accessibility.
The programme highlights diverse interests, from political insights by journalists like Jon Sopel and Anushka Asthana to environmental discussions with Mike Berners-Lee and Tony Juniper. Fiction lovers can engage with authors like Dawn O’Porter and Tom Gaisford, while crime enthusiasts can explore the genre’s nuances with Clare Mackintosh and Asia Mackay.
Additionally, the festival embraces poetry with readings by Imtiaz Dharker, Hollie McNish, and Michael Pedersen, complemented by interactive sessions and workshops for aspiring writers of all ages. Family-friendly events include storytelling sessions, puzzle workshops, and themed tea parties, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for younger attendees.
The festival’s impact extends beyond cultural enrichment, contributing significantly to Guernsey’s economy through tourism and local engagement.
Main picture: Patrick Grant, credit: Chris Floyd
Further information about the Festival can be found here.
