Rob Horgan
BUDDING authors and avid readers have bookmarked October 20, launch date for this year’s fourth annual Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival.
With a glittering constellation of media celebrities, TV 
personalities, academics and celebrity chefs taking part, the festival has written itself a permanent place on the Rock’s fast-growing cultural calendar.
The fourth edition of the three-day event will welcome Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author, Louis de Bernieres, distinguished poetess Pam Ayres and political blast from the past, Paddy Ashdown, Liberal Democrats leader from 1988 to 1999, now enjoying novel success as a writer.
While there are newcomers aplenty, other personalities are making a welcome return, including actress and comedienne Maureen Lipman, radio presenter Nicholas Parsons and Sky Sports football commentator Guillem Balague.
Setting tums rumbling, former Ready, Steady, Cook TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson will be making the trip down from his home in Mijas to talk food and share his recipe for success, while local scribe Justin Bautista will be discussing his new-found fame with Mama Lotties Cookbook, based on his grandmother’s kitchen secrets.
After months of preparation, Gibraltar Tourist Board CEO Nicky Guerrero ‘cannot wait’ for the festival to get underway.
“We are thrilled that the event has now become firmly established as one of the main highlights of Gibraltar’s cultural calendar,” he told the Olive Press.
“Now into our fourth edition, the festival will not disappoint, with a diverse range of renowned authors and speakers.”
He added: “As in other editions, we have worked hard to compile a programme that can be appealing to a cross-section of residents and visitors to the event.
“We cater for all tastes, from literature to football, and from gastronomy and art to politics and
history.”
For more information or to purchase advanced tickets visit www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com
The box office at the Garrison Library will also be selling tickets nearer to the festival date.
