Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS), on behalf of the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, is
delighted to confirm a further eleven authors and speakers who will participate in the Gibunco
Gibraltar Literary Festival 2026:
Dame Penny Mordaunt is a former Cabinet minister and co-author of ‘Pomp &
Circumstance: Why Britain’s Traditions Matter’. In the book, she celebrates the traditions and
ceremonies that underpin British life, arguing that they promote shared values, encourage
reflection and can act as an antidote to nationalism. She explores both ancient and newer
customs, considering why nations and communities with enduring traditions may be better
placed to adapt to a changing world.
Lord Charles Moore is the authorised biographer of Britain’s first female Prime
Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Together with Kate Ehrman, they will present ‘The Fall of
Margaret Thatcher: A Whodunnit’, a semi-dramatisation of Thatcher’s final three days in office.
Combining voiced characters with illustrated narrative and explanation, the event will offer a
fascinating insight into the critical moments leading up to the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Ben Arogundade is an award-winning author, journalist and broadcaster. His book,
‘Hollywood Blackout: The Battle for Inclusion at the Oscars’, explores how the Academy Awards
have historically failed to recognise the work of minorities and women, and how this has begun
to change over time.
Alison Larkin is a comedian, writer and producer who will present ‘Grief: A Comedy’.
She gave the Gibraltar Talk at the 2026 Oxford Literary Festival, where she discussed the novel
memoir, an uplifting story about how love can continue after death. The book is based on her
solo comedy show of the same name.
Tim Lenton OBE is an Earth scientist who believes that everyone can play a part in
triggering positive tipping points to help accelerate action on the climate crisis. In ‘Positive
Tipping Points: How to Fix the Climate Crisis’, he warns of negative tipping points already
emerging in the social, ecological and climate systems on which we depend, while exploring the
positive changes that can help move society towards global sustainability.
Phil Manzanera is one of the United Kingdom’s best-known musicians and record
producers. He rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead guitarist of the seminal band
Roxy Music. He will present his memoir, ‘Revólución to Roxy’, which covers his life and times
with Roxy Music, David Gilmour, Brian Eno, Tim Finn and many other leading figures in popular
music.
Melanie McDonagh is a historian and journalist who explores how Catholicism
attracted a host of unlikely converts during the 20th century, including artists, writers and
thinkers. She will present ‘Converts: From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became
Catholic in the 20th Century’, which examines the lives of a wide range of figures, asking what
drew them to the Church and how conversion shaped their lives.
Kate Moryoussef is an author and wellbeing coach specialising in ADHD in women. She
is the author of ‘The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Toolkit’ and host of the award-winning ‘ADHD
Women’s Wellbeing Podcast’. Her work focuses on promoting self-compassion, self-acceptance
and empowerment among women living with ADHD.
Sofia Smith Galer is an award-winning author, journalist and content creator whose
work focuses on language, technology and culture. Her book, ‘How to Kill a Language’, tells the
story of our modern world through ten languages. It is a vital investigation into hidden global
crises and a call to speak, read and write the languages of our world before it is too late.
Harriet Tyce is a British author known for her gripping psychological thrillers and crime
fiction. She will present her latest thriller, ‘Witch Trial’. She is the Sunday Times bestselling
author of ‘Blood Orange’, ‘The Lies You Told’, ‘It Ends at Midnight’ and ‘A Lesson in Cruelty’.
Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Christian Santos GMD MP, said: “The Gibunco
Gibraltar Literary Festival continues to establish itself as one of Gibraltar’s flagship cultural
events, attracting internationally acclaimed authors, historians, journalists, scientists and
public figures from across a wide range of disciplines. This latest announcement further
demonstrates the exceptional quality and diversity of this year’s programme, offering
audiences the opportunity to engage with thought-provoking discussions. We look forward to
welcoming both our local community and visitors to another outstanding Festival that
celebrates ideas, creativity and the power of conversation.”
The festival will take place from the 9th to 15th November 2026. For further information,
please contact the Festival Director on telephone +350 20047309, or email info@culture.gi.
