First Speakers Announced

Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, is delighted to announce the first fourteen authors who will be participating in the 2026 Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival, to be held from the 9th to the 15th of November.

This year’s flagship event promises a rich and diverse programme to include topics such as politics, travel, music, health, sport, crime and literary fiction.

Authors confirmed for the festival include:

· Dr Alastair Santhouse presents No More Normal, which brings the conversation on mental health into the public arena, exploring current challenges and proposing ways to better understand everyday human experiences.

· Dr Ali Bahaijoub, Vice Chairman of the British–Morocco Society presents Western Sahara Conflict, a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing conflict, its history, and its regional and international dimensions.

· Anne Sebba, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, biographer and journalist, presents her latest publication The Women Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival.

· Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Spanish novelist and journalist, presents two of his latest publications, Enviado Especial and Misión en París. His talk will be delivered in Spanish.

· Christopher Lloyd presents The Story of Gibraltar, a fully illustrated fold-out timeline highlighting 100 key moments in the Rock’s rich history, suitable for both adults and children.

· Clover Stroud, Sunday Times bestselling journalist, presents The Giant on the Skyline alongside her other award-winning works.

· Ella McCrystal presents Wounded Warrior Wisdom: From Child Abuse to Self-Love and Healing, exploring how trauma shapes identity, behaviour, and the body into adulthood, and offering an inspiring message of healing and growth.

· Khaleda Popal, former captain of the Afghan women’s national team, discusses her book My Beautiful Sisters. Winner of the 2025 Sports Book of the Year, a powerful story of survival and sisterhood.

· Joanne Harris MBE presents Vianne, alongside her forthcoming book Sleepers in the Snow, to be published in October 2026.

· Leslie Cavendish, famously known as The Beatles’ hairdresser, shares anecdotes and personal stories from his book The Cutting Edge.

· Dr Meenal Viz, a frontline NHS doctor, demonstrates The Power of Protest in healthcare through her publication, which details her landmark legal case against the UK government during the Covid Pandemic.

· Petroc Trelawny, classical music radio and television presenter, presents Trelawny’s Cornwall, an autobiographical celebration of his Cornish roots, alongside his passion for travel and classical music.

· Richard Garcia will speak on World War II in Gibraltar, drawing on his latest research into the impact of the war on the civilian population and its lasting effects on the community.

· Sally Baker, therapist and author, will speak on health and wellbeing, drawing on themes from The Getting of Resilience from the Inside Out.

Minister for Culture and Tourism, The Hon. Christan Santos GMD MP said:

“This year’s Literary Festival lineup is already diverse and will have a wide reach to varied audiences in Gibraltar and beyond. My thanks to the Festival Team working hard to organise the 2026 Festival, and of course, to the Festival sponsors. We are all working towards ensuring the 2026 event is as good if not better than last years.”

For further information please contact the Festival Director on telephone: +350 20047309or email: info@culture.gi or visit gibraltarliteraryfestival.gi