This year’s Guernsey Literary Festival has been hailed as ‘an outstanding success’ by its festival director, Claire Allen.
Over the two weeks of the festival, more than 80 events, most featuring writers and speakers from the Channel Islands, UK, Ireland and USA, were organised to celebrate the joy of books, writing and big ideas and, including the education, community and outreach programmes, more than 10,000 people attended.
“It’s been an amazing two weeks,” said Claire Allen. “The feedback from audiences, speakers and other participants has been unbelievably positive. We’ve had over 20 sell-out events, including Michel Roux, Martin Sixsmith and Louise Minchin at St James.”
Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE, the Festival’s honorary chairman, added: “Guernsey can be proud of the Literary Festival. Each year it grows from strength to strength and has become a vital part of the cultural life of the Island. I am honoured to be associated with it.”
Russia expert Martin Sixsmith, who talked about his book Putin and the Return of History was full of praise for book festivals in general and the Guernsey Festival in particular. He explained: “I was delighted to speak at the Guernsey Literary Festival. I love doing these events as it gives me the opportunity to put my views across but also to hear the views of the audience. One of the most important parts of these talks is the questions at the end.
‘It’s always remarkable how many intelligent, interesting and perceptive questions come from the audience. We very much enjoyed our visit and having a sell-out audience of 500 people definitely makes you want to come back again!’”
Louise Minchin said: “Thank you so much for such a fun 24 hours. I loved it all!” while best selling novelist John Boyne said: “It’s my first time here but I’m definitely coming back! Thanks to the festival and the wonderful audience for coming out on a sunny day.”
Claire Allen paid tribute to the work of those involved in planning and organising the Festival, all volunteers, and all those who helped as stewards and drivers to get the writers and speakers to and from their events: “The universal comment we’ve received is the warmth of the welcome and the quality of the organisation, which is down to the team of volunteers involved,” she said. She also paid tribute to the many sponsors and partners, without whom the Festival would not be able to exist.
Main picture: Martin Sixsmith. Photo by Chris George
