2010 FRANSCHHOEK LITERARY FESTIVAL

The Franschhoek Literary Festival : Fourth Edition will open its doors in Franschhoek village on Friday 14 May, with another collection of writers, editors, publishers, readers and various book fans who will be immersed in discussions until Sunday 16 May.

The FLF celebrates books and writers, focusing on promoting South African literature, It is run mostly by volunteers and is usually well supported by the Franschhoek locals.

Writers coming from overseas:

• bestselling French author Muriel Barbery, courtesy of the French Institute of South Africa.

• John Carlin, author of the book about Madiba and the 1995 Rugby World Cup that Clint Eastwood turned into movie Invictus

• TV personality Tom Watt, Arsenal fanatic and author of The Beautiful Game, a book of soccer heroes

• South African writer Adam Schwartzman with his novel Eddie Signwrite.,

• South African authors who have taken part in previous festivals include FLF Director Christopher Hope, Andrew Brown, Chris van Wyk, Damon Galgut, Deon Meyer, Imraan Coovadia, Ivan Vladislavić, John van de Ruit, Kgebetli Moele, Margie Orford, Michiel Heyns, Niq Mhlongo, Rian Malan, Tim Noakes, Zukiswa Wanner and cartoonist Zapiro.

This year we look forward to welcoming Aher Arap Bol, Alex Perry, Alistair Morgan, Allan Boesak, Angela Makholwa, Antjie Krog, Chris Thurman, Christi van der Westhuizen, Graeme Bloch, Harry Garuba, Isobel Dixon, Jacob Dlamini, Jonathan Jansen, Mandla Langa, Marida Fitzpatrick, Marita van der Vyver, Mark Behr, Mulenga Kapwepwe, Ndumiso Ngcobo, Paige Nick, Pieter Haasbroek, Philip Gourevitch, Radwa Ashour, Rhoda Kadalie, Sue Rabie, Véronique Tadjo and Wessel Ebersohn.

Local Cuisine celebrities Marlene van der Westhuizen, Mark Dendy-Young and Myrna Robins will host a CookBook discussion.

Among the chairpeople, publishers and book world personalities are: Ann Donald, Arthur Attwell, Basil van Rooyen, Ben Williams, Colleen Higgs, Corina van der Spoel, Donald Paul, Duncan Brown, Hugh Hodge, Jann Turner, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Jeremy Boraine, John Maytham, Karabo Kgoleng, Louise Grantham, Lynda Gilfillan, Marianne Thamm, Mervyn Sloman, Michele Magwood, Nicky Stubbs, Rachelle Greeff, Suzette Kotzé-Myburgh, Toby Mundy and Victor Dlamini.

The judges of FLF’s annual Voices of our Valley Poetry Competition are Ari Sitas (English), John van Zyl (Afrikaans) and Mhlobo Jadezwini (isiXhosa).

The price of FLF tickets remains the same: R60 per event, with a concession for students. The proceeds of ticket sales and donations go towards the FLF Library Fund which puts exciting new books into schools and crèches to encourage reading, with the long-term goal of achieving an easily accessible community library in our valley. In three years the FLF has raised over R415 000 for the Fund.

Your participation in FLF 2010 from 14 to 16 May will help us to work towards this essential objective.

THE PROGRAM

Friday 14 May

11h30-12h30

[1]: The Chefs Who Played with Fire (Church Hall)

Restaurateur Mark Dendy-Young (La Petite Ferme) and food writers Marlene van der Westhuizen (Sumptuous) and Myrna Robins (Franschhoek Food) exchange amuses bouches with Donald Paul.

13h00-14h00

[2]: My Life on Paper (Church Hall)

Antjie Krog (Begging to be Black), Aher Arop Bol (The Lost Boy) and Chris van Wyk (Shirley, Goodness and Mercy) talk about writing their own stories and how doing just that changed their lives. Chaired by Victor Dlamini.

[3]: I am a Camera (Hospice Hall)

Muriel Barbery (The Elegance of the Hedgehog), Adam Schwartzman (Eddie Signwriter) and Kgebetli Moele (Book of the Dead) open their lenses to expose their views as fiction writers. How much – or how little – are they inspired by real events and people? Chaired by Michele Magwood..

[4]: Reflections (Council Chamber)

14h30-15h30

[5]: Doing it Weekly (School Hall)

Columnists Jonathan Jansen (Knowledge in the Blood), Ndumiso Ngcobo (Is it ‘Cos I’m Black?) and Jacob Dlamini (Native Nostalgia) talk to fellow wordsmith Marianne Thamm about their weekly travails and how readers respond.

[6]: Writing by Numbers (Hospice Hall)

Is it possible to write by numbers? Jenny Crwys-Williams quizzes recently published chick lit authors Marida Fitzpatrick (Iemand vir ’n Scoop), Angela Makholwa (The 30th Candle) and Paige Nick (A Million Miles From Normal) about their first novels. Were they easy to write? Can it be as simple as 1 – 2 – 3?.

[7]: Who Wants to be an Author? (Council Chamber)

Wessel Ebersohn (The October Killings), Véronique Tadjo (Queen Pokou) and Niq Mhlongo (After Tears) delve back into their careers to explain why they continue to write – even when experience has taught them that it is not an easy profession. Chaired by Karabo Kgoleng.

16h00-17h00

[8]: Making the Movie (School Hall)

John Carlin (Playing the Enemy/Invictus), Mark Behr (Kings of the Water) and John van de Ruit (Spud) exchange anecdotes about the intricacies of turning their books into movies and the byzantine sagas of film funding. Chaired by the producer of White Wedding, novelist Jann Turner.

[9]: Writing on the Wall (Church Hall)

[10]: The Long and the Short of It (Hospice Hall)

South African short story writers Pieter Haasbroek (Kruispunt) and Alistair Morgan (winner of the 2009 Plimpton Prize for Fiction and author of Sleeper’s Wake) discuss the future of the short story with Egyptian author Radwa Ashour, whose short stories have been translated into five languages. Does it have a place in the 21st century literary landscape? Chaired by Phillip Gourevitch, Editor of the Paris Review.

[11]: Flashbacks in a Strange Room (Council Chamber)

Two of South Africa’s most well-respected novelists, Booker shortlisted Damon Galgut (In a Strange Room) and Sunday Times fiction prizewinner Ivan Vladislavić (Flashback Hotel), discuss their work and their new books with UK publisher Toby Mundy.

OTHER EVENTS ON FRIDAY 14 MAY

18h00-19h00

Maid in Franschhoek II (School Hall: R10 [pay at the door])

The much-acclaimed theatre production group, Youth Affair, presents a fresh, catchy, entertaining cabaret showcasing exactly what Franschhoek is “maid” of . . . Poetry, song and dance will be showcased by outstanding young talent from the Franschhoek community.

18h30 – Late

Off the Wall Poetry (BICCCS Café – Free event)

An open mic evening with Hugh Hodge, local and Cape Town poets. Bring and perform your own poems. Refreshments on sale.

19h30

Sunday Times Readers’ Dinner with John van de Ruit . (La Brasserie)

(By invitation only)

Saturday 15 May

10h00-11h00

[12]: Is Sport the New Politics? (School Hall)

Ndumiso Ngcobo (Is it ‘Cos I’m Black?), Jeremy Boraine (Publisher at Jonathan Ball), John Carlin (Playing the Enemy) and Tim Noakes (The Lore of Running) put the boot into 2010, refereed by Chris Thurman (Sport Versus Art).

[13]: Of Hedgehogs and Gourmets (Church Hall)

Muriel Barbery, French author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog in conversation with Marita van der Vyver, who lives in France, about her writing project in Japan and her new book Gourmet Rhapsody.

[14]: The Third Oldest Profession (Hospice Hall)

Three of South Africa’s most respected independent booksellers, Corina van der Spoel (Boekehuis), Mervyn Sloman (The Book Lounge) and Ann Donald (Kalk Bay Books) debrief John Maytham about the difficulties and joys of running a small bookshop in South Africa

11h30-12h30

[15]: Begging to be Black (School Hall)

Poet and journalist Antjie Krog in conversation with Duncan Brown, Dean of the Arts Faculty at UWC, about her new book Begging to be Black and more generally, non-fiction as a dominant genre in South Africa.

[16]: One Man Crime Wave (Church Hall)

South Africa’s crime master Deon Meyer (Thirteen Hours/13 Uur) talks to Michiel Heyns about his life, his work and the skill of depicting our complex country via its underworld (not to mention a forthcoming movie).

[17]: Secret Agents (Hospice Hall)

What do agents actually do for writers? Literary agent Isobel Dixon and literary scout Rebecca Servadio attempt to explain how the system works and why it is so important for the health of the global book market. Chaired by Karabo Kgoleng.

[18]: Inspirations (Council Chamber)

Orhan Pamuk has written: “The angel of inspiration … favours the hopeful and the confident.” Zukiswa Wanner (Behind Every Successful Man), Chris van Wyk (Shirley, Goodness and Mercy) and Wessel Ebersohn (The October Killings) discuss their choirs invisible with Michele Magwood.

13h00-14h00

[19]: Will the Real Rian Malan Please Stand Up (School Hall)

Rian Malan (Resident Alien) talks to Jacob Dlamini (Native Nostalgia) and Christopher Hope (A Separate Development) about the people he has been.

[20]: Writing Africa (Hospice Hall)

Egyptian Radwa Ashour (Winner of the 2007 Constantine Cavafy Prize for Literature), Ivorian Véronique Tadjo (Winner of the Grand Prix Littéraire d’Afrique Noir 2005) and South Africans Mandla Langa (Winner of the 2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize [Best Book, Africa]) and Kgebetli Moele (The Book of the Dead) talk to Harry Garuba, who heads the Centre for African Studies at UCT, about the new writing emerging from our continent.

[21]: Small But Perfectly Formed (Council Chamber)

Louise Grantham (Bookstorm), Colleen Higgs (Modjaji Press) and Arthur Attwell (Electric Book Works), all intimately acquainted with the difficulties of running a small publishing house, discuss the challenges facing the book industry (particularly small presses in South Africa) in the current economic crisis. Chaired by Ben Williams.

14h30-15h30

[22]: Who’s Afraid of the ANC? (School Hall)

What’s up with the ANC? What’s really going on behind the scenes? Jonathan Jansen (Knowledge in the Blood), Allan Boesak (Running with Horses) and cartoonist Zapiro exchange views with agent provocateur Rhoda Kadalie.

[23]: I’m a Novelist – Get Me Out of Here (Hospice Hall)

Niq Mhlongo (After Tears), John van de Ruit (Spud) and Imraan Coovadia (High Low In Between) talk about the unexpected aspects of being a novelist and how they deal with them.

[24]: X-Rated (Council Chamber)

Just how far can a crime novelist go? Margie Orford (Daddy’s Girl), Angela Makholwa (Red Ink) and Sue Rabie (Blood At Bay) discuss the ultimate crime taboo – if there is one – with Jenny Crwys-Williams.

16h00-17h00

[25]: Kings of the Water (School Hall)

Award-winning South African author Mark Behr talks to Victor Dlamini about the relationship between his work and his widely travelled life, concentrating on his novels The Smell of Apples, Embrace and the latest, Kings of the Water.

[26]: A Writer's Best friend (Hospice Hall)

There is a special bond between author and editor, but each new job is different, each author unique. Highly-regarded South African editors Suzette Kotzé-Myburgh, Lynda Gilfillan and Ivan Vladislavić talk to Philip Gourevitch of the Paris Review about the art of getting the best out of manuscripts.

[27]: Debutants’ Ball (Council Chamber)

Three debutant authors – Aher Arop Bol (The Lost Boy), Marida Fitzpatrick (Iemand vir ’n Scoop) and Adam Schwartzman (Eddie Signwriter) – unburden themselves about the difficulties of getting their work published and the reception of their first words in print.

OTHER EVENTS ON SATURDAY 15 MAY

10h00-11h00

FLF Poetry Prizewinners (Council Chamber: Free event)

Annually the Franschhoek Literary Festival honours those in our valley who have a gift for words. Winners are chosen from a competition run over the three months before the festival. Awards for poetry will be presented by judges Ari Sitas, John van Zyl and Mhlobo Jadezwini in four categories (primary and high schools, adult, prison) and three languages (Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa).

14h30-16h00

Spelling Bee (Church Hall: Free event)

As part of the FLF’s commitment to create a reading and writing culture in the Franschhoek valley, the festival brings you the grand finale of the Franschhoek Schools Spelling Bee – come and see our primary school word fundis shine.

17h30

FLF Wine Writer’s Prize Presentation: by invitation

18h00-19h00

Maid in Franschhoek (Church Hall: R10 – pay at the door)

Repeat performance of Friday’s event.

19h00 for 19h30

Dinner with talk show host and author Jenny Crwys-Williams & Exclusive Books at La Brasserie

13 Daniel Hugo St, Franschhoek

R310 per person for divine dinner with gorgeous Porcupine Ridge wines and interviews with top authors. To book: Phone Carol Bosch on 076 393 8083 or 011 477-4404. Or email:jennyandco@iburst.co.za

Sunday 16 May

10h00-11h00

[28]: Flying High (School Hall)

John van de Ruit, originator of the Spud phenomenon, talks to Michele Magwood about the highs – and lows – of being a bestselling author and the tribulations of working on the film version of Spud.

[29]: Amakwerekwere (Hospice Hall)

Refugees and xenophobia are growing problems worldwide. Aher Arop Bol (The Lost Boy) who has been on the move most of his short life, Andrew Brown (Refuge) who writes about Nigerian immigrants and Time journalist Alex Perry (Falling Off the Edge) talk to Philip Gourevitch who has written extensively about Rwanda.

[30]: Reviewing the Reviewers (Council Chamber)

Three of the sharpest book reviewers around – Michiel Heyns, Rachelle Greeff and Karabo Kgoleng – talk to Jenny Crwys-Williams about the state of the art form in South Africa and what can be done to improve the current situation.

[31]: Toktokkie, King Kong & the Orang-utan: Poems from A Fold in the Map and Beyond (The Screening Room)

Award-winning South African poet Isobel Dixon reads from her recent collection of poetry, A Fold in the Map, as well as new and unpublished work.

11h30-12h30

[32]: We Don’t Need No Education (School Hall)

Passionate educationists Jonathan Jansen (Knowledge in the Blood), Mandla Langa (The Lost Colours of the Chameleon) and Graeme Bloch (The Toxic Mix) discuss the state of the South African education system and what needs to be done to create schools that we can all be proud of. Chaired by Victor Dlamini.

[33]: A Separate Development (Hospice Hall)

Director of the FLF Christopher Hope in conversation about the reissuing of his novels The Love Songs of Nathan J Swirsky and A Separate Development.

[34]: eBook Now to Avoid Disappointment (Council Chamber)

In the last eighteen months the eBook has come a long way. Arthur Attwell (Electric Book Works), Basil van Rooyen (Publisher, Troupant and Bookstorm) and Imraan Coovadia (High Low In-Between) debate what this development means for authors and publishers alike. Chaired by John Maytham.

[35]: The Waste Land (The Screening Room)

If you think TS Eliot's Waste Land is a barren place, come and hear the poem read by John Cartwright backed by Leroy Cowie riding his double bass, and be captivated.

13h00-14h00

[36]: The Beautiful Game (School Hall)

The biggest show on earth is about to roll into town. So what do we, as South Africans, need to know about football? Informed insiders Tom Watt (The Beautiful Game) and John Carlin (Playing the Enemy) have some nifty advice on how to enjoy the World Cup. Chaired by Chris Thurman (Sport versus Art).

[37]: Crime, The Beloved Country (Church Hall)

To every country its crime. At the Melbourne Writers’ Festival authors discussed whether different countries had different kinds of crime writers. Three of South Africa’s best – Deon Meyer (Thirteen Hours/13 Uur), Angela Makholwa (Red Ink) and Wessel Ebersohn (The October Killings) – tease out the clues with fellow practitioner Margie Orford

[38]: Continental Drift (Hospice Hall)

Authors on the move – Muriel Barbery (author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, from France to Japan), Adam Schwartzman (author of Eddie Signwriter, from South Africa to the USA to Turkey) and Jacob Dlamini (author of Native Nostalgia, from South Africa to the USA and back) – discuss the influence of other continents with Egyptian author and academic Radwa Ashour.

14h30-15h30

[39]: Laughing at Ourselves (School Hall)

Ndumiso Ngcobo (Is it ‘Cos I’m Black?), Chris van Wyk (Shirley, Goodness and Mercy) and Zapiro give us a crash course in how to laugh at ourselves

[40]: Word of Mouth (Church Hall)

Everyone knows that the best publicity is word of mouth. Nicky Stubbs (Book Promotions), Marita van der Vyver (Just Dessert, Dear/Dis Koue Kos, Skat )Zuki Wanner (Behind Every Successful Man) talk about the impact of personal recommendations and book club discussions on the tough world of book marketing. Chaired by Toby Mundy (Atlantic Books – UK).

[41]: Who Do You Think You Are? (Hospice Hall)

[42]: The Future of Southern African Fiction (Council Chamber)

Mark Behr (Kings of the Water), Kgebetli Moele (The Book of the Dead) and Marida Fitzpatrick (Iemand vir ‘n Scoop) consider the next ten years with Mulenga Kapwepwe, Chairperson of the National Arts Council of Zambia.