After an absence of two years as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Open Book Festival returns with a two-day, in-person event on Saturday March 26 and Sunday March 27 at Bertha House, 67and 69 Main Road, Mowbray.
Authors, activists, journalists, academics and poets will come together to debate topics ranging from loss, land and city landscapes to courage, capitalism and the power of memory.
The festival aims to create a space to celebrate South African writers and instil a love of reading among young attendees.
Participants at the 2022 Open Book Festival include Sindiswa Busuku, Azille Coetzee, C. A. Davids, Finuala Dowling, Andries du Toit, Relebone Rirhandzu eAfrika, Shana Fife, Vangile Gantsho, Pumla Gqola, Tapiwa Guzha, Robert Hamblin, Imran Hamdulay, Ingrid Jones, Joanne Joseph, Faye Kabali-Kagwa, Sara-Jayne King, Bongani Kona, Kelly-Eve Koopman, Aoife Lennon-Ritchie, Alistair Mackay, Jessica Mbangeni, Bridget McNulty, Thenjiwe Mswane, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Sue Nyathi, Julie Nxadi, Edgar Pieterse, Mpho Raboeane, Katlego Ramantsima, Nancy Richards, Quaz Roodt, Keely Shinners, Kelly Smith, Toni Giselle Stuart, Sarah Summers, Jen Thorpe, Hedley Twidle and Joy Watson.
The festival’s podcast series has kept the conversations going over the past two years.
“Our digital engagements have provided a good platform to talk about the compelling books South African authors have continued to write, but nothing can beat the experience of an in-person event,” says Open Book Festival Organiser, Vasti Calitz.
“Although the March edition is a miniature version of our usual festival, audiences will be able to enjoy everything they have come to expect from the Open Book Festival experience – engaging, entertaining discussions followed by great conversations long after the session in the venue’s on-site café.”
Tickets cost R50 a session. Event passes are available with five tickets for R200 or 10 tickets for R400
Book through Webtickets. Visit www.openbookfestival.co.za for the full programme.
