Discover the magic of the 2024 International Literature Festival Dublin as the city welcomes renowned authors Richard E. Grant, Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, Amor Towles, Marilynne Robinson, David Almond, Liz Pichon & more.

Today, Tuesday 9th April, the International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) announces the full programme of events for this year’s edition, which will run from the 17th – 26th of May. Now in its 27th year, ILFD returns to its Literary Village home in Merrion Square Park with its biggest-ever program, featuring over 230 events, including more than 35 for families and kids alone. The festival showcases a diverse mix of authors, speakers, creatives and performers representing over 25 nationalities, including Richard E. Grant, Marian Keyes, Amor Towles, Marilynne Robinson, Seanchoíche, Liz Pichon and many more. Attendees can expect discussions, debates, cross-cultural conversations, insights into the creative process, and much more for all ages and interests, all as part of this 10-day live literary celebration, brought to you by Dublin City Council and supported by the Arts Council.

At the core of the ILFD’s diverse program are a variety of thought-provoking literary themes, providing attendees with a rich cultural experience that encourages meaningful dialogues and connections among participants.

International Perspectives

Voices from around the world take centre stage with guests from the USA, Argentina, Japan, South Korea, and Nigeria to name a few. Marlon James reflects on ten years of A Brief History of Seven Killings which made him the first ever Jamaican writer to win the Man Booker Prize in 2015. Fans of the weird and wonderful won’t want to miss Mariana Enriquez discussing her macabre mystery Our Share of Night while Sayaka Murata, best known for her cult hit Convenience Store Woman, introduces her first ever collection of short stories to be translated into English. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natalie Diaz makes her first ever festival appearance to discuss her work to date while fellow Pultizer winner Jhumpa Lahiri discusses her latest collection, Roman Stories which pays homage to the storied city.

Geopolitical Landscapes

An array of discussions delve into geopolitical landscapes of the past and present through both literary lenses and non-fictional accounts. Nathan Thrall will discuss his novel A Day in the Life of Abed Salama, an indelibly human portrait of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the lives of those caught in the crossfire. Adania Shibli, International Booker Prize nominee, explores the Palestinian experience and the role of literature in highlighting historical nuances in Minor Detail, while Philippe Sands shines a light on modern international law and Britain’s lasting legacy of colonial rule. Prize-winning historian Naoíse Mac Sweeney challenges conventional historical narratives in a close examination of the concept of ‘the West’; she also moderates a conversation with historian Michael Dillon as he discusses Chinese premier Xi Jinping and his position in contemporary global relations. Finally, David van Reybrouk recounts Indonesia’s struggle for independence, a pivotal moment in modern global history.

Visual Art

Caroline Campbell from the National Gallery of Ireland sheds light on the histories of the cities and artists behind some of the world’s most enduring artworks. Jo Burns and Emily Cooper illuminate the lives of the women who inspired Picasso, while award-winning author Maylis Besserie delves into fictionalising the lives of renowned Irish creatives. For a hands-on artistic experience, guests can take part in a Dog Life Drawing workshop, learn about manga illustration techniques from Chie Kutsuwada, or join drag queen Vicky Voltz for a session that’s half art class, half drag show, and all entertainment! Young masters in the making can contribute to a mural celebrating Merrion Square Park’s uniqueness with Belgian illustrator Tom Schamp or join Neill Cameron for a crash course in comic creation.

Classics & Retellings

Another central aspect of the festival is the events centred around classics, retellings and reimaginings, blending timeless narratives with contemporary perspectives. Fintan O’Toole and Farah Karim-Cooper recontextualise Shakespeare for modern audiences, while Gregory Petts and Paul Perry illuminate the Bard’s poetic works in a new way using innovative visual data representation. Nuala O’Connor reimagines the life of Cork-born pirate queen Anne Bonny while Ferdia Lennon explores the timeless question of ‘masculinity’ against the backdrop of ancient Syracuse. Story lovers big and small won’t want to miss a live reading and illustration performance with Harry Woodgate bringing Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince to vibrant life. Younger readers can pick the brains of two great storytellers, Emma Carroll and Tanya Landman, whose thrilling tales are often inspired by history or great works of fiction, like Frankenstein and Jane Eyre. If you’re looking to get out and about in the city, Eleanor Fitzsimons leads literary walking tours exploring the lives of Wilde and Bram Stoker while Donal Fallon and Fergus Whelan trace Brendan Behan’s legacy through Dublin, performing some of Behan’s iconic tunes along the way.

Natural vs Artificial

The natural world and the artificial world both feature at ILFD 2024 in discussions that offer a holistic approach to our environmental realities as well as technological advancements. Best-selling author Naomi Alderman introduces her lightning-fast thriller, The Future, which confronts the technology that rules our lives, while Peter Frankopan delves into the relationship between humanity, our environment, and the long-term impacts of accelerating climate change on civilisation. Acclaimed writer Olivia Laing takes an in-depth look at real and fictional gardens, uncovering their complicated past to decipher their roles in building a better future. Guests can get up close and personal with nature on a foraging walk with ditch witch Feebee Foran or artists of all ages can celebrate the beauty of the natural world by contributing to a mural inspired by the wild outdoors with illustrator Yuval Zommer.

Performances

Immersing audiences in creativity and expression, this year’s performances will showcase a number of artforms from improvised storytelling and puppetry to music and spoken word. At Story Riot, visuals, music, and poetry from Maeve Abyss, Simon O’Reilly, Osaro, and Abbey Oliveira create a mesmerising multi-sensory experience that pushes the boundaries of performance poetry. Dafe Orugbo, one half of hip-hop duo Tebi Rex, blends puppetry and prose in a performed reading of his latest project, Pupilla. Meanwhile, Earthman Bob and the D.A.I.S.I.E Chain offers an intimate and imaginative blend of storytelling, spoken word, and music offering cosmic contextualization of human civilization. If you’re looking to liven up a lunch break, Lunch Break Beats will see an exciting lineup of Ireland’s musicians and performers take the stage while Pages in Performance sees ILFD teaming up with Gaiety School of Acting for a series of live readings from the festival catalogue.

As Gaeilge

Embracing Ireland’s rich linguistic heritage, ILFD invites guests to delve into the captivating realm of Irish language and culture with a diverse lineup of events as Gaeilge. Julie Morrissy, Caitríona Ní Chléirchín, Ursula Ní Choill and Celia de Fréine discuss their collaborative poetry-in-translation project celebrating women’s roles in the Irish Revolution. Áine Gallagher, Ireland’s “queen of the offbeat,” brings her wholly unique bilingual (but totally accessible!) comedy experience to the stage while The Irish Writers Centre returns for their ever popular Tóg an Maidhc / Takin’ the Mic event featuring poetry and prose in English and Irish. To top if ott, fans of RTÉ’s Beo ar Éigean podcast can join host Siún Ní Dhuinn and special guests for live episode recording.

Families & Young Adults

Families and young adults alike can discover a treasure trove of captivating experiences designed to encourage a love of stories in all their many forms. Aoife Dooley offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of her hit graphic novels Frankie’s World and Finding Your Voice, sharing insights into her life before and after her autism diagnosis and how her work has evolved as a neurodiverse individual. Fan favourites Derek Landy, Shane Hegarty, and David Almond all make an appearance at this year’s festival, bringing works new and old to the stage and answering readers’ questions. For the YA fans, Adiba Jaigirdar & Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé bring a fresh take on the rom-com genre with their work, Four Eids and a Funeral, packed with will-they-won’t-they tension and slow-burn sweetness while real-life sisters-in-law Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber discuss collaborative writing, their inspiration, and the breathtaking conclusion of their Twin Crowns romantasy trilogy. Early years children and their grown-ups can enjoy a number of events like the Baby Bookworms interactive storytelling series or the Imagination Station series which offers unique, immersive experiences for little ones to get hands on as they discover the sights, sounds and wonders of the world around them.