The International Literature Festival Dublin, May 19–29, returns in person for the first time since the pandemic, with a full lineup of renowned authors from around the world. This year, the festival celebrates 25 years of stories at its new Literary Village in Merrion Square Park, in the heart of Dublin. The Literary Village will feature the Dubray Festival Bookshop and many food stalls for guests to enjoy.

“I am delighted to see the International Literature Festival Dublin, a Dublin City Council initiative, enter an exciting new chapter as it celebrates its 25^th anniversary in its new home in Merrion Square Park,” said Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland. “This new location is steeped with literary history and we look forward to the return of in person events bringing color and life to one of Dublin City’s most beloved city parks. It’s inspiring to see a program of over 150 in-person events with so many great world-renowned authors from Ireland and abroad celebrating the power of words in the heart of Dublin, a UNESCO designated City of Literature and a UNESCO Learning City.”

The festival’s highly anticipated return to in-person events will see a record-breaking program of more than 150 events, featuring a diverse mix of 175 authors, speakers, creatives and performers from more than 30 countries. This year’s festival will be divided into four programming strands: WriteNow, StoryMachine, Boundless and Advance.

WriteNow focuses on authors from across the world, from Nigeria to Colombia to Rwanda, coming together and meeting their counterparts from Ireland. Highlights of the WriteNow programming include sessions with Bernardine Evaristo, the first Black woman to win the Booker Prize; award-winning Irish author Colm Tóibín; Colombian author Margarita García Robayo; and Rwandan-French writer Scholastique Mukasonga.

StoryMachine aims to nurture young minds with a series of events perfect for children and families to enjoy together. Kids will enjoy appearances from beloved characters and authors of already-published books and books soon to hit shelves.

In the Boundless programming, guests will experience unique ways to celebrate literature, from a walking tour of Oscar Wilde’s house to a session meeting some of Ireland’s newest poets, writing in both English and Irish. The Advance programming provides aspiring writers and artists the chance to grow their practice and take part in an array of hands-on activities, including a session with BBC Scotland presenter Nick Sheridan, and a poetry session with David Colmer, Áine Ní Ghlinn and Hans and Monique Hagen.

To learn more about the programming, see the full list of events or book a session, visit here.