New Delhi:
For the first time, a day long event of the popular Jaipur Literature Festival will be organised in London as part of an annual festival of South Asian culture in the United Kingdom.
The organisers of JLF have partnered with renowned South Bank Centre for their festival of South Asian culture ‘Alchemy’ and will hold a day-long event on the lines of the annual literary festival held in Jaipur.
Alchemy, which will run from May 15-26, celebrates art and culture of countries of the Indian subcontinent and their relationship with the United Kingdom. During the 10 day-long festival, the Jaipur Lit Fest is scheduled on May 18.
“The Jaipur Literature Festival is one of the largest, greatest and most innovative literature festivals in the world and to welcome it to the Southbank Centre as part of Alchemy is a real privilege.
“Adding this element to our festival this year makes it our most ambitious, exciting and collaborative Alchemy programme to date,” Southbank Centre’s Artistic Director Jude Kelly said in a statement.
Started in 2006 with only 18 authors, the JLF in Jaipur has grown to become one of the largest free literary festival in the world, attracting close to 250,000 visitors annually.
“Within India, Jaipur Literature Festival, has grown to become a cultural catalyst, a colourful carnival of books, ideas and music. We are excited to be bringing this energy and some of our region’s finest writers to London audiences this May, extending the reach of the Jaipur Literature Festival across the globe,” JLF co-director Namita Gokhale said.
Prominent speakers expected to attend the litfest at London include Vikram Seth, Kwasi Kwarteng, Girish Karnad, Geetanjali Shree, Namita Gokhale, Arshia Sattar, William Dalrymple, Mukulika Banerjee, Oscar Guardiola Rivera, Prasoon Joshi, Sam Miller, Tahmima Anam, Xiaolu Guo, James Mallinson and Sunil Khilnani.
“In true Jaipur Literature Festival fashion, the day will begin with music and finish with a debate. A day ticket will be available to allow visitors to sample an incredible range of talks in the Queen Elizabeth Hall,” JLF’s Festival Co-Director William Dalrymple said.
