Llandeilo Lit Fest brought in a record crowd in 2024.

1,350 tickets were sold over the three-day event, an increase of two-thirds on the previous year.

The literacy festival saw fans from across south and west Wales come to immerse themselves in the written and spoken word.

Dafydd Iwan, Kate Humble, John Devereux, Alun Ffred, and Siôn Rowlands were among the big crowd-pleasers catering to a wide range of topics.

South Wales Guardian: Crowds heard Dafydd Iwan speak at the festivalCrowds heard Dafydd Iwan speak at the festival (Image: Llandeilo Lit Fest)

Welsh-language sessions featuring homegrown literary stars such as National Eisteddfod prize-winning poet Sioned Erin Hughes and writer and broadcaster Myfanwy Alexander were offered to the delight of many attendees.

The festival programme also featured its largest dedicated children's event yet, Kids Fest at the Lit Fest, which took place in the newly refurbished Yr Hen Farchnad.

Wales-based authors such as Children’s Laureate for Wales Alex Wharton and Jonny Duddle facilitated talks and workshops.

Led by Aardman Animations, there were popular model-making and animation workshops among other free creative activities available to families.

South Wales Guardian: More than 1,000 tickets were soldMore than 1,000 tickets were sold (Image: Jessie Naan)

The festival also reached out to educational institutions this year, rolling out a school programme for five of Llandeilo's nearby primary schools.

More than 320 children benefitted from writing, poetry, performance, and illustration workshops.

Reflecting on the festival's success, Gŵyl Lên Llandeilo Lit Fest founder and co-chairperson Christoph Fischer said: "It's just so brilliant to see Llandeilo's literature festival go from strength-to-strength as we draw more crowds to our small town each year."

He noted the growing demand for discussions on civic issues, stressing the festival's aim to stay relevant and accessible.

South Wales Guardian: Jonny DuddleJonny Duddle (Image: Jessie Naan)

Kate Glanville, the festival's co-chairperson, emphasised the importance of literature in inspiring the younger generation and the festival's commitment to providing a broad programme for enjoyment.

The festival's attendees appreciated the event's variety, inclusive of creative workshops for children and live music.

The festival also played host to thought leaders, historians, and journalists who shared reflections on significant issues facing the Welsh.

Llio Davies, a festival-goer, praised the event as a "worthwhile celebration of our Welsh literature."

The Gŵyl Lên Llandeilo Lit Fest is organised by volunteers and funded by organisations including Heart of Wales Line Community Grant Scheme and Literature Wales’ Inspiring Communities Fund.