GTB announces names of local authors participating in Literary Festival

GTB announces names of local authors participating in Literary Festival Gibraltarian actress, singer song-writer and renowned author Carmen Gomez together with accomplished poet David Bentata will be leading the contingent of local participants in this year’s edition of the Gibraltar Gibunco Literary Festival. Gibraltarian actress, singer-songwriter and author Carmen Gomez will be presenting her autobiography ‘Carmen Gomez: Memories bound up With Life,’ which charts her life in 1970’s London as an aspiring actress struggling to survive in the world of show business. The work is interspersed with many personal anecdotes and a strong sense of her Gibraltarian roots. Throughout a long, varied and successful career, Carmen played roles in classic television Sci-Fi series such as Dr Who, in avant-garde fringe theatrical productions, and musicals, notably starring in a dazzling production of ‘Carmen Miranda’ in London's West End, and in the eponymous stage biopic of rock ‘n’ roll legend Buddy Holly. She has worked alongside Hollywood stars like Ewan McGregor and Rachel Weisz and the world famous musician Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. Carmen Gomez is one of several local authors that will participate in the festival. David Bentata is a local businessman, jewellery designer and poet. He will be reciting poems from his new book ‘Head, Heart and Soul’ (2016) where the author examines themes of personal pain and joy, while sharing raw thoughts on love, life, death and other pressing contemporary issues. David regularly recites his poems in Gibraltar and Spain. As a bilingual writer, he first published his work in Spain in 1997, and later in the United States in 2015. He has also published a book of short stories, ‘Death a la carte’ in 2003. Another poet is Gabriel Moreno, a Gibraltarian folk-singer and lyricist with strong links to the London alternative Americana scene. Moreno also has published collections of poetry in Spanish and English and recently presented his new work entitled "The Moon and the Sparrow," which will form the basis of his talk. Clive and Geraldine Finlayson, directors of the local museum will be discussing the Gorham’s Cave project and the successful bid for World Heritage status which was achieved earlier this year. Both have been stalwarts of local natural history undertakings with vast background in the fields of research and archaeology. Closely linked to the world of academia, Clive Finlayson is also the organiser of the Calpe International Conferences in Gibraltar. Also taking part in the festival will be Justin Bautista, who will be discussing Gibraltarian food and its influence on local culture in an ‘In Conversation’ event. Justin who has his own successful television cooking show on the local channel, will also be preparing an assortment of home-grown tapas. Justin has written two books of local kitchen recipes and is the driving force and inspiration behind the Mama Lotties food brand. Additional information on all the speakers is available in the festival website. Minister for Tourism, Samantha Sacramento MP, was delighted with the new names to be added to the roster of participants. “I look forward to the excellent programme of talks that has been put together this year for the literary festival. I am delighted that local authors will be playing a part in the event and no doubt their participation will add further incentive for the public. “This fourth edition of the Gibraltar Literary Festival will provide a good mix of subjects that will appeal to a wide cross-section of the community. I am confident that the festival will be another resounding success and that it will further consolidate our reputation as a leading cultural venue in the English speaking world.”