The 23rd Cúirt International Festival of Literature begins today, attracting renowned writers from South Africa, Poland, Norway, the US and many other countries.
Jennifer Johnston and Sebastian Barry will open the Galway festival, which has seen dozens of Nobel prize
winners, Poet Laureates and major novelists attend since its inception.
The theme of the 2008 programme is
Eyewitnesses To Historyand authors who have experienced troublespots across the globe, from Afghanistan to Northern Ireland, Chechnya to South Africa, will speak.
Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad, who wrote the best-seller
The Bookseller Of Kabul, will take part in a public interview in which she will discuss her latest book,
The Angel Of Grozny, which portrays the difficulties of life in
post-war Chechnya.
Arkady Babchenko, who wrote the highly acclaimed
One Soldier's War,which won Russia's Best Debut of the Year Prize last year, will also discuss life in war-torn Chechnya.
Tony Langouranis, a former US soldier will give a first-hand account of the torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners by members of the US military.
Irish Timeswriter Keith Duggan will be reading from his book,
House Of Pain: Through The Rooms Of Mayo
Football,which tells the story of the county's quest for an All Ireland title.
A first for the 2008 festival is the Cúirt Literary Tour which will trace the history of literature in Galway, a city that has been home to some of the nation's most influential writing figures.
This year's festival has expanded to include a designated programme of readings for young people. All events will take place in Nun Island's Theatre and the programme is specifically aimed at primary school children and young adults.
The festival ends on Sunday.
PA