“I AM thrilled that Riding through War and Peace was published in The Year of the Horse,” enthuses Michael Pugh, director of Llangwm’s much loved literary festival. The story is about Pugh’s journey by horse from Russia, through Belarus and Ukraine to Transylvania, in the wake of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

“It is a wonderful way to travel,” continues Pugh who spent three months riding over 1,500 miles, adding: “The horse acts as an excellent way to interact with people and you see so much more when you travel slowly.” Having showcased almost 200 writers since the festival was established in 2016, Pugh is excited to be talking about his own work, which has been compared to that of Patrick Leigh Fermor and Colin Thubron.

“But the event we’re most proud of hosting this year is a writing workshop for people with disabilities and different abilities,” says Pugh. Writing for People with Different Abilities is a nurturing and supportive workshop heavily subsidised by the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society. “Life can be hard for people with disabilities. We want to support them and to hear their voices.”

There’s a chance for everyone to share their work at Songs, Poems and Pints at Llangwm’s rugby club on Friday, August 7, which also features Wrong Direction and the Varifolkals. The music continues on Sunday, August 9 when Llangwm welcomes Ensemble Stinan to St Jerome’s Church.

Local art will be on sale at the village hall and an array of crafts will be on offer at St Jerome’s Church on the first two days of the festival. ‘We are fortunate with the quality of the locally produced work in Llangwm’ says Pugh.

The festival takes place between August 7 and 9, 2026 in Llangwm. Visit the website: www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk .