A LITERARY festival is returning to the region featuring talented guests including TV personality Richard Osman.

The programme has been announced for Durham Book Festival 2021 and will showcase live and digital events, with headliners Lemn Sissay, Richard Osman, Pat Barker, Val McDermid, Leïla Slimani, Fiona Hill, Ed Balls and the announcement of the Gordon Burn Prize.

Between October 9 and 17, writers, artists and thinkers from across the world will take part in more than 60 events, either in person at the Gala Theatre or online.

Durham Book Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North, with funding from major partner Durham University and Arts Council England and support from BBC Radio Newcastle.

Councillor Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are very much looking forward to the return of Durham Book Festival and are delighted to welcome some of the world’s best writers to County Durham. Over the past 18 months, books have provided entertainment, escapism and a huge source of comfort for so many people and I know that this page-turning programme of events will continue to bring joy to visitors.

“With events taking place in person and online, we hope to attract avid readers from both County Durham and beyond, and, hopefully inspire new readers and writers too. However, the festival not only promotes a love of reading. It also helps to put County Durham on the map as a cultural destination as we bid to become UK City of Culture 2025. We look forward welcoming new and returning visitors and hope the weekend encourages even more people to visit all year round.”

The festival was founded in 1990 and is one of country’s oldest literary festivals.

This year, it is one of the first nationally to announce a return to live events.

Audiences will find the festival’s usual convivial atmosphere, which brings people together through new ideas and conversation, alongside a range of safety measures to keep everyone comfortable.

They will be able to engage with the festival in a range of ways, from watching author talks and films, listening to podcasts and walking tours, and reading essays.

Claire Malcolm, chief executive of New Writing North, said: “It’s great to be back and to be connecting our audiences again, both in person and online. This year’s varied programme offers all the joys of reading for pleasure, as well as the chance to reflect on our changing society. Literature is a powerful tool for opening up the world to us. It allows us to experience life from different perspectives and to reflect on our own realities; to discover new ideas and address old prejudices; to feel comforted, delighted and inspired. And, of course, to travel infinitely without leaving home. After the year that we’ve had, have books ever felt so essential?”

Highlights of the Digital Weekend include Richard Osman taking to the stage following his 2020 appearance to talk about the sequel to his record-breaking debut The Thursday Murder Club.

In this special event, the gameshow host will introduce us to his new book The Man Who Died Twice as well as reflecting on some of the books that have meant the most to him throughout his life.

Audiences can also look forward to Durham’s own Booker Prize-winning author Pat Barker, joining the festival to talk about her new novel The Women of Troy.

Recorded in the historic Bishop Cosin’s Library in Durham, the writer will be talking about her acclaimed career and her latest take on classical history.

For more information and tickets visit durhambookfestival.com online.