The Western Cape is fast becoming the Book Festival province. Hard on the heels of the Franschhoek Literary Festival comes the first Jewish Literary Festival (JLF) on Sunday 22 May, offering a jam-packed day of fascinating events to anyone who loves books, Jewish literature, culture and conversation.
The JLF will showcase authors, poets, illustrators, journalists, writers and educators who have a Jewish connection or are engaged with subjects of Jewish interest. The venue is the Gardens Community Centre in Cape Town, home to the acclaimed Jacob Gitlin Library which is partnering the festival.
From 09h00 to 17h00 the various sites comprising the centre will hum with panel discussions, launches, readings, debates, presentations and book-style activities. More than 24 events will cover a variety of genres such as fiction, food, memoir, politics, academia, scriptwriting, journalism, and the arts.
Award-winning and well known authors have already committed to being part of the JLF – so look forward to meeting writers such as Steven Robins, Diane Awerbuck, Rachel Zadok, Patricia Schonstein, Gus Silber, Kevin Bloom, Joanne Jowell, Rahla Xenopoulos, Rosamund Handler, Adam Mendelsohn, Raymond Joseph, Greg Lazarus, Tony Leon, John Matisonn, Jenny Morris and Phillippa Cheifitz. The festival promises to be a cornucopia of writers and their works and more writers will be announced as they come on board. Moderators such as Nancy Richards and Marianne Thamm will bring their expertise and connections into the mix.
A full children’s program is on offer for all ages. Authors, teachers, entertainers and carers will keep the young ones occupied all day with storytelling, workshopping and creative activities. Of course, with food being an important part of Jewish culture, delicious lunches will be served at Café Riteve and coffee bars will be open throughout the day for that brief pause between sessions.
The programme has been designed to appeal to all ages and cover a range of genres. It aims to promote constructive dialogue and discussion in the true spirit of Jewish life without promoting any single political or religious agenda. All of this book talk offers the opportunity to meet an assortment of wordsmiths, make new friends, engage with ideas and pick up some great reads.
The Jewish Literary Festival – For lovers of literature and Jewish Life.
Date: Sunday 22 May
Venue: Gardens Community Centre, Hatfield Street.
Time: 09h00 to 17h00
Enquiries: or or visit www.jewishliteraryfestival.co.za
Booking through Quicket.
