PROGRAMME 2024

Monday 16th September

Welcome Supper from 8pm

Pergola Taverna in the Jewish Quarter

As friends, old and new, fly, sail or drive to Corfu Town to gather,

we will convene at our Festival favourite haunt

Tuesday 17th September

The Enlivened Heart @ 7pm
Plous Bookshop & Cafe, Nik. Theotoki Street

Corfiot writer and broadcaster Danai Dragonea introduces

author & environmental activist Julian Hoffman to talk about his forthcoming new book

Lifelines: Finding A Home in the Mountains of Greece to screenwriter &

climate change educator, David Evan Giles

Wednesday 18th September

Daytime Event from 11am

Vido Island - Departure from Old Port Quay Ferry To Vido

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever"
Jacques Costeau

We shall take the little ferry over to Vido islet to enjoy a presentation

from Director of Ionian Environment Foundation and marine biologist Dr Simon Karythis on the rich marine life in the surrounding seas and how we can all enjoy its wonders
but still help protect and sustain it

Bring your bathers for a post event swim on this lovely uninhabited wildlife spot

Evening Event - A Song Sounds Out @ 6:30pm
The Ionian Academy, Kapodistrias Street

In collaboration with the University of the Ionian, we are proud to host a special showing of 2022's
prize-winning and film festival favourite The Laughing Boy (To Yelasto Paidi/Το Γελαστό Παιδί)

The journey of how Brendan Behan's 1930s Irish song of tribute to rebel Michael Collins
travelled to Greece, with lyrics translated by Greek poet Rotas and set to music by Theodorakis, and
was adopted to become an anthem of resistance to the junta

Following the screening, shown in association with Irish Wings Festival, there will be a Q&A Panel
with the film's producer Kathyrn Baird, consultant, poet & translator Socrates Kabouropoulos and Maria Chalkou, Professor at the Department of Audio & Visual Arts of Ionian University

Thursday 19th September

Europe and Britain: The Odd Couple @ 7pm

Kontokali Bay Resort & Hotel

Professor Sarah Churchwell in conversation with best-selling novelist Jonathan Coe
on the centuries long & sometimes tortured relationship between the UK and her closest relatives.
How have these interconnections, alliances and break-ups affected us in the past
and where are they to take us in the future?

followed by

Summoning the Past and Present @ 8pm

Kontokali Bay Resort & Hotel

Novelist, non-fiction writer and poet Ruth Padel talks about her book
Daughters of The Labyrinth to fellow author Evie Wyld, whose latest book The Echoes
has just been published. Is our past a painful scar or a positive revelry?

Friday 20th September

Trump Part II and Kamala-mania @ 7pm

Holy Trinity Anglican Church (19th c.)

Author and journalist Alex Preston discusses and considers the forthcoming
Presidential election with writer, historian and US political commentator
Professor Sarah Churchwell

followed by

Contested Histories @ 8pm

Holy Trinity Anglican Church (19th c.)

Historian and broadcaster David Olusuga in conversation with Adam Rutherford

Why does re-setting accepted accounts make people feel uncomfortable?
Does it make any difference to how and who we are now?

Is "context" ever a reason to "let sleeping dogs lie"....
or is it vital and valuable to put the record straight?

Saturday 21st September

Cricket Match - Daytime

Main Square, Corfu Town

Corfu's Leontes CC with guest players from The Authors XI
vs
Visitors - The Ship Inn CC

Umpired by Stephen Fry

THE NIKOS LOUVROS LECTURES

We are proud to announce our Festival finale will be held in the unique & spectacular venue

of Corfu's Old Fortress in front on St George's Church
with warm gratitude to our hosts The Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu

Science (In) Fiction @ 7pm

Bestselling author Sebastian Faulks CBE in conversation with Alex Preston

From Shelley to Huxley, Somerset Maughan to Asimov, the role of science in literature fascinates.
Faulkes' The Seventh Son continues this tradition.

followed by

The Odyssey: A Tale of Corfu @ 8pm

Stephen Fry reads from and interprets The Odyssey

Is ancient Corcyra where Odysseus was washed up, naked, on the shore?

Was it King Alkinoos' warm welcome that initiated the first written use of the
word for hospitality - filoxenia?

Was Princess Nausica playing an early type of cricket on the beach whilst
Odysseus hid shyly behind a bush?

To be discussed....

Please note: on the archaeological site food, drinks and smoking are strictly prohibited.
We recommend you bring a jacket or jumper in the event the sea breezes get a little chilly.

Sunday 22nd September

Wind Down and Retsina Reflections

Suggestions for goodbye gatherings to follow ...