We are very happy to announce that we are again working with our headline sponsor, Leopard’s Leap, on a fantastic label competition. The competition closes on the 31st July, so be sure to enter before then
Those of you who have been keeping an eye on the Festival website may already know many of the names who will be in Cape Town this September. We are privileged to announce further authors who will be participating in this year’s festival and will be in touch in the very near future with more to look forward to.
Barbara Boswell, Achmat Dangor, John Fredericks, Dawn Garisch, Pumla Gqola, Thandeka Gqubule, Fred Khumalo, Elan Mastai (Cananda – attending thanks to Canada Council of the Arts), Bonang Matheba, Deon Meyer, Thabiso Mofokeng, SJ Naudé, Chwayita Ngamlana, Thuli Nhlapo, Malebo Sephodi and Antonin Varenne (France – attending thanks to the French Institute).
We are also excited to be joined by Akwasi, Dean Bowen and Sjaan Flikweert, 3 Dutch performers, all of whom will be participating in #cocreatePoetica. They are joining us thanks to the support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature and The Kingdom of the Netherlands Consulate General. They will be part of a stellar line-up of poets who will be involved in discussions, performances and workshops.
Some sad news we need to share in addition to the good. Zoe Whittall (Canada) and Maylis de Kerangal (France) have had to withdraw this year but we hope to have the opportunity to welcome them in the future.
Please note that the programme will be live on our website in early August.
Names from the June newsletter: Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (Nigeria), Paul Beatty (USA – attending thanks to PEN SA), Petina Gappah (Zimbabwe), Nathan Hill (USA), Elina Hirvonen (Finland – attending thanks to the support of the Embassy of Finland), Scaachi Koul (Canada – attending thanks to the support of Canada Council for the Arts), Ali Land (UK, Ken Liu (USA), Fiston Mwanza Mujila (DRC – attending thanks to the support of the Goethe-Institut), Chibundu Onuzo (Nigeria), Malin Persson Giolito (Sweden – attending thanks to the support of The Embassy of Sweden), Carl Frode Tiller (Norway – attending thanks to support from NORLA), Iman Verjee (Kenya) and Alex Wheatle (UK).
If you would like further details about the festival or events, please contact Frankie (frankie@openbookfestival.co.za).
Open Book is organised in partnership with The Fugard Theatre, The District 6 Museum, The Townhouse Hotel, The French Institute, The Canada Council for the Arts, NORLA, Goethe-Institut, The Embassy of Finland, The Dutch Foundation for Literature, PEN SA and Central Library and sponsored by Leopards Leap, The Kingdom of the Netherlands Consulate General, The City of Cape Town, Open Society Foundation, Pan Macmillan, NB Publishers, Jonathan Ball, Penguin Random House, Wits University Press, PH Centre, African Centre for Cities and the Western Cape Government.