Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS), on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is delighted to confirm another headliner and a further eight authors who will be participating in the Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival 2025.

Our third headliner is Conservative MP and former Chancellor and Foreign Secretary, Sir Jeremy Hunt. In his book, ‘Can We Be Great Again? Why a Dangerous World Needs Britain’, he explores Britain’s role in a post-Brexit world and questions whether the UK can remain a global force amid shifting international power. Drawing on his experience in government, Hunt argues that Britain still has a vital part to play. Before entering politics, he founded the educational publishing company Hotcourses and established a charity supporting AIDS orphans in Africa, where he remains actively involved. Sir Jeremy Hunt will be ‘In Conversation With’ The Chief Minister, The Honourable Fabian Picardo KC.

We are also pleased to announce a further line up of authors coming to Gibraltar for the Festival:

Lady Fiona Carnarvon, The Countess of Carnarvon, is a British author and historian. She lives at Highclere Castle, the real-life setting for Downton Abbey. Her most prominent books include ‘Lady Almina’, ‘Lady Catherine’ and a new book to be released in September 2025 ‘A Year at Highclere – Secrets and Stories from The Real Downton Abbey’. These works offer a compelling blend of biography, history, and social insight into early 20th-century aristocratic life. Through her writing, she brings Highclere’s rich past to life for modern readers and to a global audience.

Award winning Historian and author Carlo Greppi is known for his powerful storytelling and focus on human resilience. His book, ‘A Man of Few Words – The Bricklayer of Auschwitz Who Saved Primo Levi’, tells the moving true story of quiet heroism during the Holocaust. Greppi has authored over 14 works, exploring memory, resistance, and the power of hope in history.

The EU’s former Ambassador to the United States, the UN and the UK, Joao Vale De Almeida with his publication ‘The Divorce of Nations: A Diplomat’s Inside View as the Global Order Collapses’. João details a vivid and unique account of the first 1,000 days of Brexit; recalls the fifteen times he met Putin, the Great Financial Crisis, and the aftermath of 9/11; and shares many insightful accounts of interacting with world leaders.

Professor Janne Haaland and Professor Rob Johnson will present ‘NATO and the Russian War in Ukraine’. The talk will discuss how the Western defence alliance might turn Moscow’s war on Ukraine from a major challenge into a basis of renewal. The chapters are written with specific reference to the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has galvanised a new era of integration and alliance cooperation within NATO.

New York Times Illustration Award recipient, James Mayhew has published over 70 illustrated books including the ‘Ella Bella Ballerina’ series, ‘Once Upon a Tune’ and most recently ‘A Symphony of Stories’.  His presentation at the festival will form part of the School’s Programme sponsored by the John Mackintosh Educational Trust combining stories, classical music and art both in an inspirational and fun setting.

Professor Khalid Bekkaoui from the University of Fez with his book ‘Necklace and Pomegranates, a multicultural historical work set in the dynamic world of late Victorian Gibraltar. The book is a narrative of love, cultural heritage, history, memory and the complexities of identity. Professors Bekkaoui’s participation is made possible with the support of the Gibraltar Moroccan Business Association in Tangier. 

Journalist and broadcaster Alice Mascarenhas MBE, presents a book on her late father, prominent journalist and broadcaster Manolo Mascarenhas, who is known for his Radio Gibraltar 1960s broadcasts of ‘Palabras al Viento’ as the book is aptly titled. ‘Palabras al Viento’ is central to this book which is not only biographical but a record of his writings in the newspapers from 1946 to 1972 and which cover most aspects of life in Gibraltar at the time. A panel discussion at this year’s festival will look back on ‘Palabras al Viento’ which played a crucial role in keeping up the morale of the Gibraltarians in the face of the escalating Spanish political campaign against the Rock culminating with the closure of the frontier in 1969 – safeguarding community identity and historical memory.

And in collaboration with Seabourn Cruise Line, British former royal butler and the UK’s foremost etiquette expert, Grant Harrold with his new publication ‘The Royal Butler’. The book provides an unforgettable memoir and portrait of a royal household, telling the full story of how a boy who grew up obsessed with the royals ended up at the heart of their household.

Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Hon Christan Santos GMD MP, said: ‘The Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival is no doubt a highlight of our Cultural and Tourism calendar and the amazing guest speakers are a testament to that. I look forward to another great festival later in the year.’

The festival will be held from the 10^th to 16^th November 2025. For further information please contact the Festival Director on telephone: 20047309 or email: info@culture.gi