The charming Cleddau village of Llangwm is launching its fifth annual litfest this August (12 to 14) with a visit from Catherine Belton, best-selling author of ‘Putin’s People’.

Catherine worked as Moscow correspondent for the Financial Times for years and spent seven years writing the book that became a Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller, and a Times, Sunday Times and Telegraph Book of the Year!

But soon after the book was published, Catherine was faced with a so-called SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participants) from Roman Abramovich and other oligarchs. Undaunted, Catherine fought back (as did her publisher HarperCollins, which incurred £1.5 million in legal fees in the process). As a result, the lawsuits against Catherine were settled or withdrawn.

As the dust settles, and Catherine prepares for her first visit to Llangwm litfest, guests can look forward to the inside track on the renaissance of the KGB, Putin’s rise to power, the influence of Russia’s black cash on the world and what we can do about it!

But in keeping with the Llangwm resolve of no shadows without sunshine, there’s plenty else on to entertain. Local girl, Jane Reynolds, will be talking about how she became a cookery writer and there will be lots of opportunity to taste the delicious fusion of Pembrokeshire and International cuisine. Irish writer, Nuala O’Connor, is coming over to share her delicate and tender book on Nora Barnacle, love, wife and muse of James Joyce, and there’s lots more.

For children, Gill Lewis is braced to introduce Willow Wildthing to festival goers with tales of a Dragon’s Egg, and a creative workshop about the Swamp Monster, and a wild flower walk by orchid hunter and wild flower afficionado, Leif Bersweden

For more information on the festival, please contact [email protected], or call 07970 812050, or visit www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk

Facebook: Llangwmlitfest | Twitter: Llangwmlitfest1