Headlining this year’s Gibraltar International Literary Festival is That’s Life presenter and founder of the ChildLine charity, Dame Esther Rantzen.
Running from November 12 to 15, the increasingly respected annual celebration of writing and literature will feature a host of speakers talking on an eclectic range of subjects from humorous to serious, but all of them thought provoking.
Dame Esther will discuss her life as not just one of the best known TV presenters on the BBC, but also her work for the children’s help and advice charity ChildLine, and the more recent Silver Line, which is aimed at older people that also need help and advice.
‘Just a Minute’ on the Rock
Also at the festival will be novelists, historians, biographers and other public figures, who will be talking about their work as well as taking part in a number of lectures and events at venues around Gibraltar.
Sure to be popular is a live version of BBC Radio’s Just a Minute panel show, hosted by the venerable Nicholas Parsons, which will feature Dame Esther as well as comedians Miles Jupp and Marcus Brigstocke, along with bestselling novelist Felix Francis.
For lovers of history Dan Jones will talk on the Magna Carta while the spy Guy Burgess’ time in Gibraltar is the subject of a discussion with Andrew Lownie. Staying with the theme of Iron Curtain intrigue is scientist and writer Professor Frank Close, who will reveal the true story behind Harwell physicist Bruno Pontecorvo, who disappeared from Britain’s atomic energy laboratory in 1950 before reappearing in 1955 in the Soviet Union.
Other speakers include football commentator Guillem Balague, who will talk about his biography of Real Madrid’s Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as the great nephew of Haile Selassie, Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate, and Royal Family expert Ingrid Seward.
This is the third year the Gibraltar International Literary Festival has been held and it is becoming ever more popular. Last year 3,569 visitors attended, with organisers hoping to better the figure this year. A full list of events and information on tickets can be found here.
Gibraltar is just a short trip from Sotogrande. If you are looking for a property where you can not only live a Spanish lifestyle, but also take advantage of the cultural events of Gibraltar please contact us for a consultation.
By Jackie Cruz - Manifesto ·