The Open Book Festival has announced the 2021 edition of their podcast series featuring some of the best writers in South Africa running from November 8-24, 2021.
The Open Book Festival is a literary festival with a focus on South African literature in an international context held in Cape Town, South Africa since 2011. For the last 11 years, the festival has hosted some of the leading names in South African and world literature at its main home of the Fugard Theatre as well as at the District 6 Museum, The Homecoming Centre, the Townhouse Hotel, The Slave Lodge, The Museum, The National Gallery, Central Library and Lobby Books.
In 2020, there was a global pandemic called Covid-19 that meant many events were cancelled across the planet and many had to rethink their festivals. The Open Book Festival cancelled their edition and pivoted to the podcast in partnership with The Book Lounge. That first edition of the series kicked off on October 19, 2020 with writers like Lauren Beukes, Remy Ngamije, Dr Nechama Brodie, Irenosen Okojie, Tiffany Kagure Mugo, Mohale Mashigo, Mphuthumi Ntabeni, Angela Makholwa, Damon Galgut, Desiree Lewis, among others. The series was well received by listeners in the South African and larger African literary community.
The 2021 edition of the podcast series has been announced by the organisers and the program is just as exciting as in the past year. The podcast series is done with the support of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, as well as the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. Here is the program for the series;
Monday, November 8
Conversations with Mohale
Joining Mohale for the Lockdown Edition are Shana Fife, Pumla Gqola and Siphokazi Jonas.
Wednesday, November 10
Nowhere to Nowhere
Joanne Joseph, Mandla Langa, and Nick Mulgrew speak to Yewande Omotoso about land, belonging and exile
Friday, November 12
The Future Is Over
Three debut novelists Mia Arderne, Tshidiso Moletsane and Thenjiwe Mswane explore writing from a present that is unraveling in the company of Ashanti Kunene. Listeners should be aware that the conversation includes content reflecting on suicide.
Monday, November 15
Virtually Queer
A conversation looking at the impact of the digital world on the queer experience. The panel includes Efemia Chela, Robert Hamblin and Tiffany Mugo and is chaired by Chase Rhys.
Wednesday, November 17
Fragile Power
A conversation chaired by Koketso Sachane. Damon Galgut, Mphuthumi Ntabeni and Futhi Ntshingila will be exploring the erosion of control through their characters.
Friday, November 19
Finding The Bones
Madeleine Fullard, Ashraf Kagee and Naledi Mashishi speak to Africa Melane about a present that is haunted by the past.
Monday, November 22
After Bones
Catherine Boulle speaks to Yewande Omotoso and Bongani Kona about shifting modes of grief.
Wednesday, November 24
The Thing About Life
Efemia Chela speaks to Gretchen Haley, Qarnita Loxton and Uvile Ximba about complicated loves.
Please click here to learn more about getting access to the podcasts.
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