WORLD-FAMOUS conductor Valery Gergiev will talk about his life, the power of music, and how he convinced FIFA to let Russia host the World Cup at this year`s Books, Borders and Bikes festival.

He is among a collection of Scottish broadcasters, international writers and cultural leaders of iconic small nations from around the world who will meet in the region later this month to discuss some of the most topical literary, cultural and political issues of our time.

Beyond Borders Productions Ltd presents the third annual international festival of literature at Traquair House near Innerleithen on August 18 and 19.

Veteran diplomat ambassador Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles will discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan with Magnus Linklater; Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and documentary photographer Guy Martin will talk about their new books and why journalists go under fire and Alan Little will join Former Secretary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, Paul Van Zyl, and President de Klerk`s defence minister, Roelf Meyer, as he recounts how Nelson Mandela came to create the Rainbow Nation.

Audiences are also being invited to participate in a debate with leading politicians and cultural figures including Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Tam Dalyell about the future of the Union postreferendum and the Levenson Inquiry at the event, which also includes theatre performances, exhibitions, storytelling, bike rides and walk.