The "Bangkok Literature Festival" returns with a platform to spotlight Southeast Asia in the literary world, at Neilson Hays Library, Surawong Road, on Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 6pm.
(Photo courtesy of Neilson Hays Library)
It will also take place in the library's surrounding neighbourhood including the British Club, Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse, with special events at Chakrabongse Villas, and The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon.
This second edition invites everyone to embark on a journey through the pages of life and meet more than 30 internationally-acclaimed authors.
They include Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the 2019 Booker Prize for Girl, Woman, Other; Will Schwalbe, the New York Times best-selling author of The End Of Your Life Book Club and We Should Not Be Friends; and Nguyen Phan Que Mai whose The Mountains Sing presents the Vietnam War from the perspective of one family who lived through it and challenges the dominant narrative of the conflict.
More than 20 Thai writers will also participate such as Shane Bunnag, Tomorn Sookprecha, Uruda Covin, Win Nimman, Chairat Pipitpattanaprap aka Prapt, Nhotti Sasivimon, and Palin Ansusinha. They will share their views on literature, politics, the environment, cultural diversity, human rights, and other topics of our time.
Through the panel discussions, participants will explore how literature can awaken us and help us discover meaning in ourselves, our relationships, and human existence.
However, the festival goes beyond a celebration of books. Workshops on creative writing, botanical illustration, children's art, as well as film screenings and crafts market will also be available to create a vibrant atmosphere for all ages.
Admission to the talks and sessions on the main stages is free of charge (on a first-come, first-served basis), with priority seating through day passes (600 baht) and tickets for special events and workshops now available for purchase.
