The Knysna Literary Festival is an annual literary festival held in Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa with a focus on South African authors and South African literature.

The seventh annual Knysna Literary Festival will take place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 March next year.

This was confirmed by Ling Dobson of Pam Golding Properties Knysna, who established the event in 2010 as a way of giving back to the Knysna community.

Dobson says that the four-day event promises an enthralling programme of current affairs, politics, history and adventure, centred around best-selling local and international authors, who will entertain and delight audiences with readings, conversations, debates and workshops.

“The aim of the Festival is to expose locals and visitors to South Africa’s literary talent,” explains Dobson. “But my mission is also to stimulate the children of the greater Knysna area by encouraging reading and writing, and by contributing to local charities that focus on childhood development and education.

Spokesman for associate sponsor Sasfin, regional manager Sven Ruppelt, says that they committed to the festival because it contributes to the sustainable development of the region.

“The festival inspires a love of literature, reading and education by showcasing the works of some of the country’s top literary talents. It also engages with attendees to develop their own skills. Sasfin believes in going beyond the realms of banking to ensure that we do business in an economy that is strengthened through education and enriched through its strong cultural heritage,” he explains.

The 2016 programme will provide attendees with a number of unique literary experiences, from engaging with authors in small group workshops or participating in larger presentations, to mingling with authors while sipping local wine at some of Knysna’s most exclusive private real estate.

The extremely popular Delicious Word Journey will return as will the annual sell-out event, Fate of the Nation, featuring a panel of writers in a vital discussion about the current political climate in South Africa.

A children’s interactive programme will include children’s theatre, and the annual Young Writer’s Award, a creative writing competition for various age groups, which attracts entries in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.

Says Dobson: “We are busy signing up authors, but I can confirm that we already have a great line-up, including Hugh Masekela, whose autobiography, Still Grazing, was released in South Africa last month; Lauren Beukes, author of The Shining Girls, Zoo City (winner of the Arthur C Clarke Award), Moxyland and Broken Monsters; Ferial Haffajee, editor of the City Press newspaper and previously editor of the Mail & Guardian newspaper; and Pete Goffe-Wood, celebrity chef, MasterChef South Africa judge and author of Kitchen Cowboys.”

Tickets will go on sale on 1 February at the Pam Golding Properties Knysna office, located at 5 Gray Street.

For more information, call 044 382 5574, email info@knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za or visit www.knysnaliteraryfestival.co.za
Follow us on Twitter: @KnysnaLitFest. Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KnysnaLiteraryFestival