Jung Chang on Family, Memory and Modern China

Among the most extraordinary memoirs ever written. We’re honoured to welcome Jung Chang CBE – one of the most influential literary voices of our time – to Folkestone. Chang is the internationally bestselling author of Wild Swans, the ground-breaking family memoir that became a global literary phenomenon. Translated into over 40 languages and selling 10 million copies worldwide, Wild Swans shattered the silence around the Chinese Cultural Revolution and offered an unflinching portrait of life under a brutal regime. The book remains banned in the People’s Republic of China to this day.

Now, more than 30 years later, Chang returns to the story in her moving and long-awaited sequel, Fly: Wild Swans – My Mother, Myself and China. With fresh insight, she revisits her family’s extraordinary legacy, exploring memory, identity, trauma and quiet resistance.

In this special event, Jung Chang will reflect on the writing of Wild Swans, its lasting impact, and what it means to tell the truth when the world tries to silence it. Don’t miss the chance to hear from one of the bravest – and most widely read – authors of our time.

This event will be chaired by Susannah Stevenson. Susannah is Director of Canterbury Festival, Kent’s international celebration of arts and ideas. With a career which has included the Southbank Centre, the British Library and Charleston, she has spent decades creating spaces where culture and conversation flourish. Her thoughtful, energetic approach makes her a brilliant festival collaborator.

Please note: this event lasts for one hour, followed by an opportunity to purchase the book upstairs in The Clearing and have it signed by the author

FIND OUT MORE

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.