Writers head west for Cuirt

Renowned writers from South Africa, Poland, Norway, the US and many other countries will converge on Galway this week for one…

Renowned writers from South Africa, Poland, Norway, the US and many other countries will converge on Galway this week for one of Ireland’s top literature festivals.

Cuirt has attracted dozens of Nobel prize winners, Poet Laureates and major novelists in its 23 year history and this year's line up includes Jennifer
Johnston, Sebastian Barry and acclaimed South African author Breyten Breytenbach.

Samantha Power, former senior advisor to US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, will also be present giving her views on the race for the top political office.

A first for the 2008 festival and a must for bookworms is the Cuirt Literary tour.

It will trace the history of literature in Galway, a city which has been home to some of the nation's most influential writing figures.

"Writers will be brought to life in dramatic re-creations incorporating song and music which will celebrate the literary legacy of amongst others O Conaire, O Direain, O Flaitherta, O hEithir, Lady Gregory, Yeats, Mary Sheridan, William S Blunt, Frank Harris and Walter Macken," a festival spokeswoman said.

The theme of the 2008 Cuirt Programme is Eyewitnesses to History and authors who have experienced trouble spots across the globe, from Afghanistan to Northern Ireland, Chechnya to South Africa, will speak.

Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad who previously wrote the No 1 best-seller, The Bookseller of Kabul, will take part in a public interview where she will discuss her latest book The Angel of Grozny which portrays the difficulties facing life in post war Chechnya.

Arkady Babchenko who wrote the highly acclaimed One Soldiers War which won Russia's Best Debut of the Year Prize last year will discuss life in war torn Chechnya, while Tony Langouranis, a former US Soldier will give first hand account of the torture and abuse of Iraqi Prisoners by members of the US Military.

Sports fans will also be in for a treat as Irish Times writer 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.

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 opens on Tuesday with readings from Jennifer Johnston and
Sebastian Barry.

More information on the Cuirt International Festival of Literature can be found by logging on to www.galwayartscentre.ie