Returning for the 16th year, Wimbledon BookFest will bring 10 days of thought provoking programming on culture, community and global connection.

Climate activist and Black libertarian Mikaela Loach, journalist Clive Myrie, Nigerian-British poet Ben Okri, Britain’s answer to Steve Irwin Steve Backshall and historian Peter Frankopan feature in the line-up of literary stars, celebrities, politicians, sports personalities, historians, economists and academics, along with DJ Annie MacManus, Wes Streeting MP, and novelists and writers Anne Enright, Afua Hirsch, Kate Mosse and Janice Hallett.

Running October 12-22, the programme for adults and children will also feature appearances from Cressida Cowell, Stephen Mulhern, Katherine Rundell.

The Resident: Climate and Black activist Mikaela Loach will appear at the festivalClimate and Black activist Mikaela Loach will appear at the festival (Image: Marie Jacquemin)

Chef Rick Stein will appear at a special post-festival event at the New Wimbledon Theatre.

The festival’s calendar of educational programming comes with a raft of new initiatives and partnerships including the Merton Libraries Partnership which will see festival events taking place across the borough.

This includes the ‘Merton Big Read’ that runs from July-October with 500 free copies of Moshin Hamid’s The Last White Man made available for residents, a new Literacy Champions programme funding 800 tickets to BookFest for state schools in Mitcham, and a Young Stewards initiative. Cheap tickets - £10 for under 25s – will also be available.

The Resident: Novelist Kate Mosse is also on the billNovelist Kate Mosse is also on the bill (Image: Ruth Crafer)

Partnerships and connections across borders are put into focus at this year’s festival, with Festival Director Fiona Razvi drawing on her own heritage to forge unique links between BookFest and the prestigious Lahore Literary Festival.

As a result, the festival will feature a strand of events featuring South Asian creatives including broadcaster Aasmah Mir and artist and fashion designer Osman Yousefzada to the BookFest community.

BookFest will also host Iran – Woman Life Freedom, a panel event at the Festival and an exhibition of art from female protestors from Iran to be shown at libraries across Merton during the Autumn.

For tickets and for more information, visit wimbledonbookfest.org