Park poets read revolution
The freedom theme at this month's fair was especially apt as the country approached elections, and marked a quarter century since Madiba was inaugurated as President.
THE reading revolution in KwaZulu-Natal gathered pace this month as the Durban Book Fair celebrated 25 years of freedom and democracy.
Fair organiser, Anivesh Singh, said that the relaxed setting in Durban’s Mitchell Park was ideal for books to jostle alongside picnic baskets.
“The Durban Book Fair has been going for almost a year now and every month it grows with new authors, poets and booklovers,” said Singh.
The event kicked off in the morning with author Deborah Ewing talking about her book The Secret Thread – Personal Journeys Beyond Apartheid to an excited audience gathered on the century-old bandstand. The discussion on access to literature for disabled people drew a lot of comment.
Ewing was followed by almost 20 poets aged from 12 to 70-something reading from the published collection Twenty-Five Years of Freedom, edited by local historian Kiru Naidoo.
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The afternoon rounded off with debut author Gudani Raulisa reading from his book The Year of Fire, in which he tackles topical issues from gender-based violence to the challenges that young people face in society.
The book fair has emerged as a powerful platform for authors and poets to promote and sell their books. Several booksellers including those from the Denis Hurley Centre’s Booksellers of Mzansi project, aimed at empowering homeless people, are regular participants.
Don’t miss the Durban Book Fair on the first Sunday of every month at Mitchell Park from 10am to 2pm.
Contact Anivesh on 083 778 1991.
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