The annual Graham Greene International Festival is the centre-piece of the Birthplace Trust’s yearly activities. It will run from Thursday 30 September–Sunday 3 October 2021. The Festival takes place in Berkhamsted, where Greene was born, lived, went to school and spent the first eighteen years of his life. The importance of his birthplace cannot be overestimated as is evident to all who are familiar with his work.

A typical festival programme includes talks, films of adaptations of Greene’s novels, interviews, discussion groups, guided walks in and around Berkhamsted and social events. There are opportunities to buy both new and secondhand books and there is often a relevant exhibition. The Saturday and Sunday events take place in Greene’s old school, including the Deans’ Hall where his father was headmaster. There are unique opportunities to visit parts of the building which the writer knew well and to view a collection of relevant artifacts which have been organised by the Berkhamsted School archivist.

When the Festival was first held – back in 1998 – Tony Blair was in his second year as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was a journalist, and Norman Sherry was still six years away from publishing the third and final volume of his Greene biography. We have come a long way since then. Last year’s Festival had to be cancelled because of the virus emergency, but we are delighted to have been able to keep most of that programme in place for 2021.

The focus for this festival has been on Graham Greene’s own writings and includes elements that are as accessible to those completely new to Greene as to seasoned fans; to reflect the myriad adaptations of Greene that continue to appear; to mark the publication of Richard Greene’s landmark biography; and to involve Greene’s own family – always a really important part of the annual gatherings. 

Below you will find further details of the talks, interviews, films, tours and speakers, the online ticketing service. Tickets will be on sale at the door. 

For tickets: click here

This event is supported by Berkhamsted School.