Peace and justice: who could be against them? But as soon as we begin to unpack these much-invoked notions, tensions emerge. How does international law resolve these tensions? We'll discuss emerging international norms in light of the challenges facing mediators trying to end civil wars. Nouwen is Co-Deputy Director of the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law. Chaired by Tom Clark of Prospect magazine.

As a former Gurkha officer, Simpson completed three tours in southern Afghanistan, which informed his first book War From the Ground Up – Twenty-First Century Combat as Politics. He talks about people, perception and persuasion in contemporary armed conflict.

Six leading Irish poets read from the Irish Pages memorial issue, ‘Heaney’, and reflect on the man and his work.

From the multi-award-winning biographer, author of the The Pike, comes a breathtakingly ambitious, beautiful and timely debut novel. The story is about gamekeepers and witches, agitators and aristocrats; about young love and the pathos of ageing. And about how those who wall out others risk finding themselves becoming walled in.

In the summer of 1990, Cathy’s brother Matty was knocked down by a car on the way home from a night out. It was two weeks before his GCSE results, which turned out to be the best in his school. Sitting by his unconscious body in hospital, holding his hand and watching his heartbeat on the monitors, Cathy and her parents willed him to survive. They did not know then that there are many and various fates worse than death. The Last Act of Love is shortlisted for The Wellcome Book Prize.

In this last bicentenary session, the academic and author plays with the engaging and entertaining puzzles of the novels and Austen’s life.  What are the right and wrong ways to propose marriage? What do the characters call each other, and why? And which important Austen characters never speak? Join us for a delightful celebration of the genius of English literature’s greatest comedian. There will be prizes for best frock coat and bonnet.

The distinguished anthropologist presents a dazzling, panoramic account of the history and achievements of Native North Americans and why they matter today. He suggests that no understanding of the wider world is possible without comprehending the original inhabitants of the United States and Canada: Native Americans, First Nations and Arctic peoples.

Join the Australian Children’s Laureate to learn how to draw three of his crazy but lovable characters: Mr Chicken, Old Tom and Horrible Harriet. He will also teach budding young artists how to create their very own characters.

The Carnegie Medal-winning author of Skellig discusses his new novel for younger readers. Illustrated by Claude creator Alex T Smith, Angelino Brown is the warm and witty tale of a little angel who appears in bus driver Bert’s top pocket and brings joy to everyone’s lives. But some people aren’t so sure, including big bully Basher Malone, who’s out to get him. Delightful storytelling, perfect for fans of the author’s international bestseller, The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas.

Lukás Bärfuss has been working since 1997 as a freelance playwright and fiction writer in Zurich. Together with Samuel Schwarz, he founded the theatre company 400asa in this city. He talks to writer and journalist Paul Ingendaay, author of La noche de Madrid and contributor to German journal Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Simultaneous translation from German into English.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Spain and Fundación suiza para la cultura Pro Helvetia

Zebra, Elephant and Bird are three best friends together: then one day they all fall out because Zebra runs TOO fast and doesn’t listen to his friends.

Join Jenni for a storytelling session and hands-on art workshop. She’ll also show you how she made the book, and you will be making your very own zebra mask to take home.

3+ years

Can men respond to feminism? In the era of Trump, Weinstein, #metoo and #timesup, feminist anger has reached a crescendo, and it is not for the first time. Delap looks at past efforts by women to get men to listen, and attempts by men to reshape masculinity in 20th century Britain. Dr Delap is a lecturer in Modern British History.

A conversation with two masters of fiction: Tóibín, author of Brooklyn and House of Names and the American novelist André Aciman, author of Call Me by Your Name, the story of a sudden and powerful romance that blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents’ cliffside mansion on the Italian Riviera. The film of the book has made the love story a modern classic.

Want to cook ridiculously good vegan food from scratch but have no idea where to start? Firth and Theasby, creators of the world’s biggest and fastest-growing, plant-based platform, BOSH!, are the new faces of the food revolution. They share their favourite go-to breakfasts, crowd-pleasing party pieces, hearty dinners, sumptuous desserts and incredible sharing cocktails. Hosted by John Mitchinson.