The Open Book Festival 2016 takes place from 7 to 11 September this year. Frankie Murrey tells Naomi Meyer about this year's highlights.
Hi Frankie, I can’t believe it is nearly time for Open Book. Can you?
There do seem to be days where I wake up and suddenly all the time I thought I had to get everything done seems to have disappeared! Usually about two months before the festival and then again about six weeks before and then again – in a very big way – when our programme goes live. When the programme is being read by people it feels like the festival has started in some ways.
The Open Book Festival feels like one of the really open festivals in the country, where South African (and international) writers in all languages are welcome. Which South African writers (new) have you noticed over the past year who will take part at Open Book this year?
There are always exciting things happening locally that keep our passion for the South African literary world alive. Key for me, though, is looking at the different ways people are telling stories – comic books, poetry, novels, non-fiction ... Unathi Magubeni's Nwelezelanga is a powerful tale. Mohale Mashigo's The yearning. David Cornwell's Like it matters. Haji Mohamed Dawjee (included in Writing what we like). Jolyn Phillips's Tjieng tjang tjerries ... the list goes on. I've never been good at choosing!
Which well-known and established writers can the public look forward to?
Shoo! Mama Magona, Bongani Madondo, Deon Meyer, Niq Mhlongo, Damon Galgut, Lauren Beukes, Pumla Gqola ... again, a long list!
Are there any hot topics or discussions this year?
In many ways the events we plan feed out of where we live and reflect what is happening in the world around us. So there are several events on which we've collaborated with students, looking at the process of decolonising university spaces in particular. We have also planned an event looking at what whiteness means in South Africa. An event I am particularly excited about is a round-table one looking at “Women and urban space” happening at Moholo Livehouse in Khayelitsha.
Please tell us about the comics festival and the youth programme this year?
Comics Fest has grown! The Marketplace has now spread throughout the ground floor and up to the first floor in the D6 Homecoming Centre. And the talent is a-ma-zing! Comic books, zines, demo tables, signings, colouring-in stations, a doodle wall - definitely a space one can get lost in for hours! And that doesn't event start on the discussions and workshops. This year we have several internationals here as well – Indira Neville is joining us from New Zealand (thanks to the Publishers Association of New Zealand), Kai Pfeiffer from Germany (thanks to the Goethe-Institut) and Hippolyte from Reunion (thanks to the French Institute).
There are a few events on the Youth Fest programme open to the public during the week, but for the most part the events from Wednesday to Friday are happening at schools. On Saturday and Sunday, though, there will be several Story Times happening in the D6 Homecoming Centre (KidZone), featuring Benjamin Chaud, Shane Evans, Alan Durant and more. As always, both the Comics Fest and the Youth Fest are free!
Why Open Book?
Open Book is about ideas, stories, sharing, engaging. You don't need to have a pile of books next to your bed to enjoy the festival – what you need is a desire to listen and to share.
You have to pay the authors, who also need the money. You have to pay the venue. You want as many people to be there as possible. Is it expensive to attend the festival?
We try to keep our ticket prices as low as possible and include a range of free events each year. We also distribute comps where price is a barrier and assist with transport to ensure people are able to get to events and back home safely.
What are you looking forward to this year at the Open Book Festival?
I love watching people coming out of events completely caught up talking to one another. Very much looking forward to seeing events we've been planning with new partners and meeting writers whose work I've so enjoyed reading – even if it is briefly.
Which international authors will be there this year?
Akwasi, Chamo and Yassine, Benjamin Chaud, Alan Durant, Martin Egblewogbe, Shane Evans, Jostein Gaarder, Garth Greenwell, Rawi Hage, Nadia Hashimi, Sheila Heti, Hippolyte, Lauri Kubuitsile, Kim Leine, Elnathan John, Andy Martin, Indira Neville, Nnedi Okorafor, Heather O'Neill, Kai Pfeiffer, Rosemary Sullivan, Philip Teir, Adeiye Tjon, Michela Wrong, Sunil Yapa.
Anything practical that festival-goers should know about?
Tickets are on sale – please show support! We are reminding people that we need you to book – even for free events – so we can ensure there is space in our venues. Booking is through webtickets.co.za.
Checkout the full programme at http://openbookfestival.co.za.
And if you have any questions, drop me a mail at frankie@openbookfestival.co.za.
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