The Garrison Library, Gibraltar. Festival Headquarters and Venue Festival Brochure THURSDAY 14 to SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2019 1 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL#VISIT LITERARYGIBRAL TAFESTIVALR 2 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL HRH The Princess Royal, Royal Patron of the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival 2019 Photo by Jeremy Makinson 3 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL The Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP Chief Minister We live in extraordinary times. Elections galore and waves of global political uncertainty. In politics, in terms of climate change, in the way we communicate and how we express ourselves as human beings. Never has good writing, intelligent thinking and the space in which to engage in these activities been more important in recent decades than it is now. It is a testament to Gibraltar’s entrepreneurial spirit that we have continued to face the storms and doldrums of the Brexit era with a focus on our sense of history and on the high value we must continue to ascribe to education in its broadest sense. Once again Gibunco are the principal sponsors of the Gibraltar International Literary Festival in what is undoubtedly now one of our most treasured annual cultural events. It reaches out to every age from school children to pensioners. The festival has rightly become a hub for local readers and writers, students and visitors to engage with internationally renowned thinkers and writers. Good writing and quality reading are precious in a world As the year marking 50 years since the border comes where words and images abound. to a close we once again celebrate with this festival The beauty of our festival is that for a few days our open thinking, our passion for democracy and participants are able to almost stop time and our dedication to keeping Gibraltar at the heart of immerse themselves in quality time and open doors contemporary life and thinking. Enjoy! to new ideas. I love the title that well known and respected journalist has come up with - ‘Brexit without the bullshit’ - and look forward to a sequel hopefully entitled ‘ Brexit is over’! With Hong Kong sadly in the news it will be fascinating to hear Lord Patten’s take on whether today’s events in Hong Kong were inevitable and what lessons he takes from what is happening. Lord Price was a great friend and support of Gibraltar in the course of the Brexit talks we have had over the past few years and I am delighted he is joining us to talk business. As you know our message to the world is that #Gibraltar is open for business! I can’t run through the programme here but it is touching that there is tribute to Mary Chiappe and I am pleased that our local writers have a space and profile in this prestigious event. The fact that history is a popular subject is a reflection that we on the Rock have a great sense of our history, not just the many military, political and economic sieges over the centuries but also the history of our people and our sense of future and building on the achievements of those who came before us. 4 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL The Hon Vijay Daryanani MP Minister for Business, Tourism and Transport The 7th edition of the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival is upon us and I am delighted that this is one of the first major events that I am involved in, as the newly elected Minister for Tourism of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar. This Festival is now recognised as one of the leading events of its kind and we can be very proud that Gibraltar is once again setting the standard in so many ways. We are honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is our Patron and that so many distinguished guests over the last seven years have joined us in this leading cultural gathering. Once more, the Festival has a lineup that features some of the best writers, politicians, journalists, actors, historians and storytellers around today. We are also honoured that Lord Patten has taken time out from his busy schedule to talk to us about his latest book and share his experiences with us. As Chancellor of Oxford University, he will also be visiting the gratitude to the Festival’s partners and sponsors and University of Gibraltar during his stay. Among other in particular, our title sponsor the Gibunco Group highlights this year are Gavin Esler, Diana Moran and of Companies, for their valued support. This festival Lord Price, all enriching our lives with their stories. would not happen without the sterling work carried Not forgetting our writers from Gibraltar, showing out on a year round basis by some experienced that homegrown talent is thriving. professionals. I would therefore like to thank everyone involved, in particular the teams at the This year I must also highlight a tribute being held Gibraltar Tourist Board, Gibraltar Cultural Services, to the late Mary Chiappe (1939 – 2017). This special The Convent, the University of Gibraltar and the event is a celebration of the life and work of Mary Gibraltar Garrison Library. Chiappe, writer, teacher, and – at only twenty-five years of age - Gibraltar’s Minister for Education. As always, our schools’ programme is a great part of the festival, where thousands of our young people have the privilege of learning from many of those performing at the Festival. As in the past, the Festival has taken a lead in ensuring that it becomes more accessible and once again induction loops are in operation at all the venues and a British Sign Language interpreter will be at some events. I would like to thank and extend my most sincere 5 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL Director’s Welcome Nicholas Guerrero, Festival Director Welcome to the Festival on behalf of the organising teams, our volunteers and sponsors, without whom this outstanding event would not be possible. The 7th edition of the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival promises to be just as fulfilling and educational as our previous events. I often describe the four days of the Festival as a privilege, where our distinguished guests pass on to us their life experiences, research, teachings, writings and so much more. Inviting our guests to take part in our festival is possible thanks to a hard working team, friends, colleagues and in particular Sally Dunsmore and Tony Byrne who we engage as our special advisors. Once again we are honoured that Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, is our Royal Patron. Our schools’ programme is such an important part of this event and we are always grateful to those of our guests that take the time to visit our schools, to share their talent and experiences with Gibraltar’s future. We are very grateful to our partners and sponsors, in particular to the Gibunco Group, for their support in making the Festival a reality. As indeed we thank you too, our audiences, for your continued loyalty. This year we have looked closely at highlighting the different subjects offered at the Festival in order help you explore events that you might not have considering attending otherwise. We hope you have Gibraltar Tourist Board found this this useful in making your selections. HM Government of Gibraltar The Festival has also taken steps make the event more accessible and greener. Our printing is now keep to a minimum as we encourage you all to use our online resources and the courtesy vehicles for are guests this year are electric. I do hope you enjoy the Festival and if you haven’t yet bought your tickets, hurry and do so! 6 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL 7 GIBUNCO GIBRALTARMoorish INTERNATIONAL Castle LITERARY FESTIVAL 8 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL John J Bassadone OBE GMH Chairman, The Gibunco Group, Gibraltar In Collaborating with Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar, The Gibunco Group are extremely glad to continue to be supportive and able to partake in such a successful venture for Gibraltar for the 7th year running, assuring that so many talented speakers which express a wide variety of personal knowledge to Gibraltar. Also in so doing it allows our culture to be expressed throughout the globe. Like all other years I am sure the festival will bring the fulfilment required and meet the expectations of the fantastic audience that greatly support this event. Separately to the above I avail myself of this opportunity to thank the Gibunco Staff for their dedication and hard work. I will also like to most sincerely thank our customers for their most valued and loyal business which has allowed our company to be one of the leaders in our field. Lastly I would very much like to wish the Chief Minister of Gibraltar The Hon Fabian Picardo QC.MP. and his fellow Ministers who so amply merit the mention and indeed all other Authorities and very importantly Mr Nicky Guerrero and his team who carryout excellent work and service prior, during and post festival, ensuring a successful and eventful 2019 Literary Festival. 9 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL 10 GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL SCHOOLS’ FESTIVAL Jackie Mason Director of Education Our Literary Festival has grown from strength to strength, each year more ambitious and inspiring than the previous. Over the years our staff and children in schools have been privileged to host numerous local and international authors. The Literary Festival affords our children unique opportunities to find out what inspired their favourite authors to write and tell their stories to the world. Story telling is our oldest form of communication and socialisation which can impact future generations.