Wales

One of Wales' most intimate literary events begins tomorrow as the Laugharne Weekend returns for its sixth year.

The annual event takes place in the "timeless, mild, beguiling island of a town" that was home to Dylan Thomas during the 1930s and 40s.

It was in Laugharne that the author's relationship with his wife-to-be Caitlin blossomed, and Thomas wrote some of his best-known works during his time in the west Wales town.

Image: geograph.org.uk, copyright Jeremy Bolwell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The 2012 line-up is as eclectic as ever, with a mix of musicians, poets, writers and comedians taking part in sessions across the three days.

The organisers of the festival keep it as intimate and relaxed as possible, so that audience members and performers are able to mingle and chat around the events.

Speaking at this year's event are Val McDermid, Stuart Maconie, Simon Day, Julien Temple, Howard Marks, Graeme Garden and comedian Robin Ince, among others.

Robin Ince. Image: Rob Greig

A host of other poets and writers will also be present at the weekend, such as Horatio Clare, A L Kennedy, Kate Williams, John Cooper Clarke, Fflur Dafydd, Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch, Mark Billingham and Simon Armitage.

Musical highlights will include Cerys Matthews, Y Niwl, Georgia Ruth, Meic Stevens and Laura J Martin, plus the final show of the festival will feature Jah Wobble, Keith Levene and friends performing Metal Box in Dub, a unique 2012 take on the classic 1979 album.

Photograph of Fflur Dafydd © Chris Reynolds

Venues for events at the festival include Dylan Thomas' famous Boathouse, the town's Millennium Hall, the Fountain Inn and a large marquee in the grounds of Browns Hotel, Thomas' well-known drinking haunt.

Fittingly, the weekend will also see a production of Jon Tregenna's play Buggerall, which is an updated version of Thomas' Under Milk Wood.

Weekend tickets for the festival, which runs from Friday 13-Sunday 15 April, have sold out but tickets for individual performances may still be available. Visit thelaugharneweekend.com for more information.

Related links

• Laugharne walk on BBC Wales Nature & Outdoors
• BBC Wales Arts: Dylan Thomas