The Graham Greene Birthplace Trust and International Festival
Graham Greene (1904-1991)
Born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, in 1904, Graham Greene was one of the twentieth century’s most brilliant and influential writers. He published twenty-five novels along with plays, screenplays, travel books, essays, journalism and reviews. William Golding called him ‘the ultimate chronicler of twentieth-century man’s consciousness and anxiety’, Evelyn Waugh pronounced him ‘the greatest novelist of my generation’, and John Le Carré placed him ‘for all time in the top ranks of world literature’.
Many of Greene’s works have also been translated worldwide or adapted into films. The 1949 movie The Third Man, for which Greene wrote the screenplay, has been judged to be the greatest British film of all time.
The 27th Graham Greene International Festival – 24 to 27 September 2026
The Graham Greene International Festival takes place each autumn in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Greene’s birthplace, as close as possible to his birthday, 2 October (1904). The Festival is a warm, friendly and inclusive event spread over four days with an exciting programme of films, talks, walks, tours, meals and socialising — all in the name of celebrating the life and work of Graham Greene, one of England’s greatest ever writers.
The full programme for the 2026 Festival (24-27 September) will be published in May 2026 but we are already delighted to confirm a number of fantastic speakers including Jo Baker, Robin Ince, Melanie McDonagh, Adam Sisman, David Belbin and Robert Verkaik.
For queries or questions about the 2026 Festival please email the Festival Director Kevin Ruane at kevin.ruane@canterbury.ac.uk
The Graham Greene Birthplace Trust
The Trust was set up in 1997 as a charity to celebrate one of Britain’s greatest writers and promote research and interest in his life and work. The Trust is based in Greene’s home town of Berkhamsted and serves as an international hub enabling Greene scholars and academics along with fans and general readers to connect and exchange ideas. This networking is aided by a large and engaged Facebook community. In all its activity, the Trust is privileged to have the backing of Graham Greene’s family. So why not become a Friend of the Trust and as well as promoting Greene enjoy benefits including reduced Festival ticket prices and our quarterly magazine A Sort of Newsletter which is packed with all manner of terrific Greene-ery
Latest Graham Greene news
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The 2026 Graham Greene International Festival line-up is shaping up – some early news!
The 2026 Graham Greene International Festival line-up is shaping up – some early news!
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When Graham Greene was runner-up to … Graham Greene
When Graham Greene was runner-up to … Graham Greene
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