TONY Blair's former chief of staff Jonathan Powell will be among the speakers at the first Mount Stewart Conversations festival.
Broadcaster David Aaronovitch and Pullitzer Prize winning author Anne Applebaum are also scheduled to take part in the new event, with further attendees to be announced.
Organised by the National Trust, the first Mount Stewart Conversations festival will take place at the country estate on September 17-18.
The weekend festival is set to include speakers, musicians from the north and a series of artistic surprises around the gardens.
Musicians lined up include Iain Archer, an Ivor Novello award winning songwriter from Bangor, performing on September 17.
Ursula Burns, a musician and comedian, will also perform on Sunday September 18.
Lords of Strut, winner of the 2013 Street Performers World Championship, will also be bringing their act to the shores of Strangford Lough.
The lawns at Mount Stewart will feature a range of street performers, while a food village and bar will provide snacks and refreshments throughout the weekend.
Jon Kerr, National Trust manager at Mount Stewart, described it as a "truly unique festival weekend that brings Mount Stewart's history to life in a completely new way".
"The idea is that we will bring an eclectic range of people together for conversations on a central topic. This year we have chosen to focus on Europe, so there will certainly be plenty of topical debates," he said.
"We are also keen that visitors get really involved in those conversations, so that will be central to the ethos of the weekend.
"We will have a huge menu of debates, stories, music and arts to select from as well as great local food and drink. On each night we will also have a headline musical performance to finish the day off in style."
Festival day passes will cost £30 and a festival weekend pass £50, with concessions also available.
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/conversations for more information.
