Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author Louis de Bernieres to open StAnza festival

The author of one of the world’s most enduring novels will open next year’s StAnza poetry festival, it has been confirmed.

Louis de Bernieres, the author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, will visit St Andrews in March to launch the town’s annual poetry festival.

Further details of the event have also been published, with other headline names including John Burnside and poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

Reflecting on his previous visit to StAnza, Mr de Bernieres said: “Coming to St Andrews 10 years ago to read my own poetry for the first time in public gave me the confidence to rework everything I’d done, produce a great deal more, and get my first collection published.“I will always be grateful to the StAnza festival, and always delighted to return.”

Unveiling the programme, festival director Eleanor Livingstone said: “Ten years ago Louis de Bernieres read some of his early poems at StAnza, and I am delighted to welcome him back to launch the festival in 2014.

“The festival aims to make poetry accessible to everyone through our varied and eclectic programme, with a mix of different types of readings, poetry slams, installations and workshops.”