Date: 11 - 13 May 2012
The sixth FLF kicks off on 11 May for the annual long weekend when writers gather in Franschhoek to discuss the latest books, complicated history and volatile now of the beloved country. The stories they tell, the scandals they uncover and the crimes they devise will unfold in more than eighty events over the three days.
At a time when many publications are going online and growing numbers of readers move to Kindles and iPads, it seems that there is a hunger for the more tangible experience of meeting the people who write them.
Village venues are all within a short walking distance from the heart of the festival with its pop-up bookshop and coffee stall in the Town Hall. Street-corner vendors will offer quick snacks as people hurry between events, and local cafés and restaurants will be geared to quick service.
Few subjects are taboo at the FLF. Events planned for 2012 vary from the latest and best in South African writing to scientific controversy, hot politics to cool poetry, history to green issues, serious fiction to crime novels, bad sex to chick lit to tweeting (see next page for the highlights). A Book Week for Young Readers leading up to the Festival will have children’s authors visiting every classroom in Franschhoek.
Audiences leaving the final events on Friday and Saturday can enjoy glasses of complimentary Porcupine Ridge wine before moving on to restaurants, literary dinners and evening entertainments. These will include a Pieter-Dirk Uys cabaret, dinners with classical music, and the invitation-only shortlist announcement for the Sunday Times literary awards.
With book launches, themed classical music concerts in the NG Church during the day, the annual Wine Writer’s Prize announcement and publishers’ bunfights also vying for time and attention, there is bound to be something to tickle every literary tastebud at FLF 2012.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: send an email to Sheenagh Tyler at help@flf.co.za
Website: http://www.flf.co.za/