At Monty Lit Fest, we’re all about the stories. So what could be more fitting than to celebrate the launch of our 2025 programme with a night of storytelling. And if those stories are told in words and music by Welsh folk legends, Mair Tomos Ifans and Sioned Webb, we should count ourselves blessed indeed.
What a night we had at Monty Lit Fest HQ – Montgomery Town Hall – where we were treated to Mair and Sioned’s brilliant Telyn Tales, an evening of Welsh folktales and harp music that more than fulfilled the promise of two friends, four hands and six harps.
And what a way to launch a programme that, as always, has something for everyone – from award-winning novelists to two National Poets of Wales; ancient queens to Tudor spies; Welsh rebels to gay culture; folklore to film; wildlife to walking. Hone your writing skills at one of our three writers’ workshops; pit your wits against resident quizmaster, Marcus Berkmann, or just kick back at our Late Lounge or a very special screening of the film, Mr Burton.
We’re also delighted to announce our first Jill Kibble Monty Mini Fest, a celebration of books for children named in honour of the much-missed dynamo of Montgomery life, Jill Kibble.
All this, plus an art exhibition, street music and food and – of course – coffee and cake in the Town Hall itself. It promises to be another memorable weekend.
So, add those dates – 6th – 8th June – to your calendar now.
Here are just some of the highlights ahead:
- Talk borders – on the map and in our hearts – with National Poet of Wales, Hanan Issa and Festival favourite Mike Parker
- Meet top novelists Jonathan Coe, Carys Davies, Annie Garthwaite, Angharad Price and Caryl Lewis
- Hear from a second – and the inaugural – National Poet of Wales, Gwyneth Lewis
- Revisit the past with sessions on the Rebecca Riots, the Cleopatras and Elizabeth I’s spymaster, Robert Cecil
- Listen to top music journalist Jon Savage in conversation with Rhys Mwyn at our Late Lounge
- Explore land, sea and sky in all their natural and cultural glory with Jon Gower, Roger Morgan-Grenville and Matthew Yeomans
- Go for a walk with Andrew Green and a folk road trip with Russ Williams
- Come along to two writers’ workshops from the University of Aberystwyth’s Centre for Creativity and Wellbeing, and meet top agent, Natalie Jerome
- Find out more about Philip Burton, the muse behind star of stage and screen, Richard Burton, with his biographer, a producer of the Mr Burton film and Richard Burton’s niece – and then enjoy the film too
Tickets are available online, or in person at The Montgomery Bookshop or Ivy House Café in Montgomery.
See you in June!