"It is a time to celebrate books and ideas."
The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) London, in its grand 2024 edition, is set to transform the British Library into a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and dialogue.
From the 7th to the 9th of June 2024, this iconic venue will host an event that promises to be a vibrant cross-cultural arena.
Following the resounding success of its 17th Festival edition in Jaipur, Teamwork Arts announces JLF London to replicate the spectacle of its mothership event.
The festival in Jaipur has been an inspirational convergence of ideas, perspectives, and people, highlighting the profound impact of books and discourse.
The 2024 edition of JLF London at the British Library boasts a roster of speakers, including Christina Lamb, Maggie O’Farrell, Mary Beard, Paul Lynch, Ruby Lal, Sathnam Sanghera, Shekhar Kapur, Shrabani Basu, Venki Ramakrishnan, and Vikas Swarup, among others.
These luminaries will engage in vibrant conversations, exploring a wide array of topics from democracy and geopolitics to the influence of cinema and art on society.
Namita Gokhale, Sahitya Akademi award recipient author and Festival Co-director, expressed her enthusiasm, stating:
“JLF London at the British Library returns to London for its eleventh annual edition.
“It is a time to celebrate books and ideas, poetry and music, discussion and dialogue, and to try to understand our fraught and fragile world.”
Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, highlighted the festival’s commitment to diversity of thought and addressing some of the most urgent global questions of our present times.
The festival will showcase literature and delve into pressing global issues, celebrating both the intellectual and the sensory.
Over the past decade, JLF London at the British Library has hosted over 600 sessions, featuring a blend of literary discussions, performance art, and cultural debates that have captivated audiences.
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Its commitment to inclusivity and community resonates deeply with the multicultural ethos of London, making it a must-attend event in the city’s cultural calendar.
Notably, Turkish-British novelist Elif Shafak will discuss her upcoming book in a session that promises to be a highlight, alongside a fascinating session featuring acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur.
A notable Bollywood session will bring together Sunny Singh, Nasreen Munni Kabir, and Yasser Usman to delve into the intricacies of Hindi cinema.
In a pivotal discussion, Vincent Doumeizel and Ian A. Graham, alongside Aarathi Prasad, will explore the revolutionary potential of seaweed in our ecological and economic landscapes.
The festival will also offer a deep dive into historical narratives with sessions led by Josephine Quinn, Mary Beard, and Santham Sanghera, examining the complexities of Western identity and Britain’s imperial history.
Hindustani music will be celebrated in a session with Katherine Schofield, Richard David Williams, and Saif Mahmood.
Namita Gokhale will discuss her novel ‘Paro – Dreams of Passion,’ a pioneering work in Indian literature, while Vikas Swarup will share insights into his writing journey, from ‘Q & A’ to ‘The Girl with the Seven Lives.’
The festival will also explore the profound connections between food, culture, and memory in a session featuring chefs Karen Anand and Anand George, and writer Tabinda Burney.
Additionally, a panel on democracy will critically examine civic attitudes and constitutional safeguards in a year marked by global elections, featuring Tripurdaman Singh, Sarah Churchwell, S. Y. Quraishi, and Alpa Shah.
As London gears up for this spectacle, the Jaipur Literature Festival 2024 at the British Library is poised to be a celebration of books, ideas, and the unifying power of literature.
For further information on the 2024 Jaipur Literature Festival programme and to book tickets, please visit here.
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