Llangwm Literary Festival 2024 which takes place between 9 and 11 August, will welcome acclaimed Welsh author Roger Lewis, with his ‘electrifying’ biography of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
Roger Lewis’ maternal grandmother was from Haverfordwest and his paternal great-grandmother was sister to a former Bishop of St Davids.
“Although the concept of erotic vagrancy is not entirely unknown in Llangwm, this is the first time that it sits centre stage at the litfest” says Festival Director Michael Pugh. “Stephen Fry has called it one of the very best biographies he has ever read and I agree with him. This book took 13 years to write and shares incredible insights into the brilliant and broken sides of the twentieth century’s ultimate IT couple.”
It is not without controversy, however, as Lewis has caused waves by implying that there was more than the father son relationship between Richard Burton and his adoptive father, Philip. He’s also ruffled feathers with the theory that Richard’s actions led to the death of his brother, Ivor. All of this makes for fascinating reading.
But Burton and Taylor are not the only couple explored at this year’s litfest. To commemorate the bicentenary of Lord Byron’s death, the festival is celebrating the lives of one of the 19th century’s most rambunctious couples, Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. Festival favourite Miranda Seymour is synthesising her works on Byron and Shelley for a session to explore the inner workings of their relationship and what led to the birth of Frankenstein.
In homage to Byron’s great love of Greece, Dora Duka - who came to Pembrokeshire after falling in love with a Llangwm man - will be doing a cook and taste celebration of her Greek family cookery. The Cottage Inn is joining in the fun with a Byronic Banquet on August 10 with delicious Greek food and prizes for the best Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.
In addition, there will be fun for all the family, poetry, music, books galore, art, events for children, foraging and lots more.
Visit www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk.