Gaza: Voices and Perspectives

Gaza: The Story of a Genocide is a landmark new collection of testimony, poetry, photography, art and reportage. Urgent and deeply human, it gathers first-hand accounts that reflect on the devastating impact of ongoing conflict on people’s lives, their land and their future.

Contributors Ahmed Masoud (novelist and playwright) and Eman Basher (mother, writer and UNRWA teacher) will appear live in Folkestone to share their experiences and writing. They join a chorus of extraordinary voices featured in the collection, including Ahmed Alnaouq, Noor Alyacoubi, Mariam Barghouti, and the late poet Hiba Abu Nada — killed in an airstrike on her home in Khan Younis, Gaza, in October 2023.

With contributors recognised by the Palestine Book Award, Arab American Book Award, Pulitzer Prize, Emmy Award, National Book Award and Gandhi Peace Award, this event highlights the role of art and storytelling in bearing witness to human suffering, resilience and survival.

All royalties from the book will be donated directly to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

The chair for this event will be Ann Morgan. Ann is the author of Reading the World and Relearning to Read: Adventures in Not-Knowing, in which she explores what stories can teach us about empathy and connection. Her TED Talk on reading the world’s books has been viewed millions of times. Ann brings global perspective and warmth to every literary conversation.

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Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.