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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Tim Dowling

Tim Dowling: a literary festival in Greece doesn’t inspire much hope – and sadly, nor do I

Greece
An illustration of alphabet letters and two pieces of paper around a cutout photograph of Tim Dowling, with a background of different coloured circles and pen strokes

I’m at a literary festival in Greece, standing by some sort of colonnade, drink in hand, fulfilling my role as a non-luminary. Ahead of me, hands are being shaken and warm words exchanged. The sun has just set, and there is a faint glow coming off various luminaries.

“Why are you just standing there?” my wife says, coming up behind me.

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