Cape Town - Simon’s Town, known for its serene and picturesque vistas, soaked in rich history and ready-to-be-told stories, is to become the location for one of the biggest literary festivals this year.
‘Books on the Bay’ will launch with Nobel Laureate JM Coetzee, writer Antjie Krog, and Angolan novelist José Agualusa, at St Francis Anglican Church, on February 10.
The festival, on March 10 and 11, will comprise 19 events, including readings, panel discussions, music, and spoken word poetry, across seven venues.
It is organised by residents and UWC extraordinary professor David Attwell, UWC lecturer in education Darryl David, and writer and publisher Karin Cronje.
Attwell said: “We have an extraordinary, world-class and diverse line-up of writers who will read from and discuss their work. The list of authors includes a Nobel Laureate, two Booker Prize winners, and finalists and winners of all the major literary prizes in South Africa.
“Part of the experience of the festival will be a wayfinder with historical information about Simon’s Town’s fascinating nooks and crannies.”
Experienced book festival curator, Darryl Earl David, said this would undoubtedly be the festival of the year.
It is to become an annual feature and will travel to schools in the greater Simon’s Town area, such as Ocean View and Masiphumelele, where libraries will be set up.
The festival will have an annual book drive to help with this worthy initiative, David said.
Tickets, some of which are free, are R60 and can be bought via Webtickets or Pick n Pay.
For more information and a detailed look at the line-up, visit booksonthebay.simonstown.com.
The festival is sponsored by the Simon’s Town Civic Association, Simonstown.com, and Mooiplaas Wine Estate and Private Nature Reserve.