Wales’ premier crime writing festival returns to Aberystwyth

THE Gŷyl Crime Cymru Festival, Wales’ only dedicated crime-writing festival, is set to return to Aberystwyth from April 25 to 27, bringing together some of the biggest names in the genre. Following the success of its inaugural event in 2023, the festival continues to grow, attracting both Welsh and international crime writers.

The festival, which celebrates Wales’ rich literary talent, aims to provide a platform for homegrown authors while featuring high-profile figures in the crime-writing world. This year’s line-up includes:

Alis Hawkins – Founder of the festival and award-winning historical crime writer
Fflur Dafydd – Acclaimed novelist and scriptwriter
Mark Bingham – Internationally recognised crime writer
Vaseem Khan – Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association and author of the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series
Abir Mukherjee – Best-selling crime novelist
Philip Gwynne Jones – Author of the Nathan Sutherland Venetian Mysteries
Graham Bartlett – Crime writer and former detective

In addition to these names, another 47 authors, publishers, and crime-writing experts will be taking part in the festival’s mix of panels, big-name interviews, and workshops. The weekend’s events will kick off on Friday with a Dragon Parade along Aberystwyth promenade, followed by Noir at the Bar, where up-and-coming Welsh writers will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an informal setting over a glass of wine.

One of the festival’s distinguishing features is its friendly and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging interaction between authors and readers. The event also prides itself on being fully bilingual, with panels and workshops conducted in both Welsh and English.

Gwenllian J Williams, author and festival committee member, said: “We want to create an environment where crime fiction fans can immerse themselves in the genre while also discovering new voices in Welsh writing.”