Find the perfect events for you!
With only 12 days until the Festival and tickets selling fast, there’s not much time to decide which events to attend. Not to worry – we’re here to help! Below are some of the OBF team’s top picks.
Mervyn’s Picks
Director’s Choice & Reflections on Parents
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE
Director’s Choice – Am I looking forward to this or am I scared shitless about the responsibility of doing justice to three fantastic books on stage? Some of both. Lulama Mali’s Held, The Comfort of Distant Stars by I.O. Echeruo, and Selali Fiamanya’s novel Before We Hit the Ground are three of the finest books I’ve read this year and it is a huge privilege for me to play a small role in spreading the love I have for these books on stage at Open Book.
REFLECTIONS ON PARENTS
My second pick is Reflections on Parents. I have a complicated relationship with my memory of my parents; I sit with a lot of anger at them and simultaneously try not to be judgemental because I understand that they were flawed human beings who went through a lot in their lives. I’m really looking forward to this discussion and how the possibilities of forgiveness are reflected on in a discussion chaired by Kelly Smith, someone who always does a wonderfully empathetic and entertaining job of facilitating conversations.
Nolwazi’s Picks
Filling in the Gaps & The World We Want
It’s always interesting to think about whose story gets told, how, and which voices get left behind, so I think Filling in the Gaps will be great discussion. Athambile Masola, Lulama Mali, and Bonile Ngqiyaza added some really great new layers and dimensions to history through their respective poetry, memoir, and short stories.
Another one I’m really looking forward to is The World We Want since the authors involved are all, in their different ways, doing really exciting work when it comes to sustainability and examining how we relate to nature. I’m also just a HUGE Onezwa fan, so I’ll be going to all her events.
Katia’s Picks
Between Two Worlds & African Identity: Marginalised Citizens
Dismantling systems of oppression requires acknowledgment of how marginalised identities can intersect which I believe makes African Identity: Marginalised Citizens so important to see.
Between Two Worlds – I’ve always been drawn to magical realism and spec-fic but find that it’s often told through a Western lens. I’m looking forward to seeing that perspective shift.
Frankie’s Picks
Past, Present and Future & (Re)Building Home
We have around 60 events this year, so it’s hard to choose. Off the top of my head?
Past, Present and Future & (Re)Building Home. Both sessions are ones I think will tease out themes many of us are thinking about – how are we able to equip ourselves if we are to imagine a future?
We cant’t wait to see you!
Please note when booking that you will need to choose between general access, early access and wheelchair access tickets.
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