The Glenwood Book Fair, a major event during the Heritage Day weekend, will run for four days, from September 24th to September 27th, featuring nearly 60 authors across four different locations in the suburb. These venues include the Umbilo Library at Bulwer Park, the KZNSA Gallery, the Mazisi Kunene Museum, and the Phansi Museum. Entry to all sessions is free.
This non-profit community gathering serves to celebrate Durban's status as a UNESCO City of Literature, promoting a culture of reading and writing, particularly within indigenous languages.
Программа мероприятий
The fair commences on Thursday, September 24th, with a children's program at Bulwer Park, which includes storytelling, music, and performances by child authors, in collaboration with the Umbilo Library and the Glenwood Urban Improvement Precinct.
On Friday, September 25th, the focus moves to the Mazisi Kunene Museum to honor and discuss the contributions of South Africa's inaugural poet laureate, Mazisi Kunene, alongside efforts to advance indigenous languages. Later that day, the KZNSA Gallery hosts an afternoon event where a panel will explore the connection between art and narrative, followed by a panel discussion featuring popular local writers titled The Durban Voice.
Saturday and Sunday activities take place at the Phansi Museum, where attendees can interact with numerous authors—ranging from historians and sociologists to novelists and poets—with discussions guided by notable Durban residents. Additionally, a craft market will operate at the museum from 9 am until 5 pm on both days.
Расписание на субботу, 26 сентября
Paul Mikula will greet visitors at 10 am, followed by a 'New Voices' session led by Kiru Nadoo at 10:15 am, showcasing new authors such as Anira Pather, Babes Moodley, Sue Naidoo, and Dr Khaya Nzimande. At 11:30 am, Illa Thompson and the Street Lit vendors will present on Denis Hurley’s Street Lit program.
At midday, journalist Lee Rondganger moderates 'Being South African,' a conversation involving authors Nathi Olifant, Nivashni Nair Sukdhev, Irene Fynn, and Elana Bregin. At 1:15 pm, Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi will speak; she is the featured writer this year, and her critically acclaimed works include the debut bestseller The Polygamist (2012) and her second book The Gold Diggers (2018).
Later, at 2:30 pm, Thulile Zama will host 'The Inner Voice' with participants Dhipika Seopursat, Siyabonga Zondi, Glynis Horning, and Dr Fathima Deedat. At 4 pm, Dr Michael Sutcliffe will lead a session called A Sense of Space, engaging with panelists Tholsi Mudly, Jerald Vedan, Ashwin Desai, Monique Marks, and Lorraine Richards.
A special evening event is scheduled for 6:30 pm at The Poke Box within the Phansi Museum, offering a four-course food and wine dinner curated by Matt Draper, featuring dishes like shime saba, salmon consomme, nam tok beef, and mesquite ice cream. The cost for this dinner is R590 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 063 470 1800.
Расписание на воскресенье, 27 сентября
The day begins at 10:15 am with another 'New Voices' panel facilitated by Keyuran Maharaj, featuring Alvin Gulzar, Kuvera Chetty, and Jose Dos Santos. At 11 am, sociologist and author Dr Ashwin Desai will deliver a talk entitled Uncomfortable Truths.
At noon, international affairs specialist Eric Apelgren will lead 'Being South African' alongside Dudu Busani-Dube, Dr Devi Rajab, Elwyn Bonhomme, Kirsten Miller, and Linda Zama. The schedule continues at 1:45 pm with Viroshen Chetty hosting 'The Speculative Voice,' featuring Khaya Maseko, Ziyaad Ally Khan, and Terisha Govender.
At 2:45 pm, there will be the launch of the book Sinikithemba: The Labour of Hope and Science at McCord Hospital in the Era of HIV, where Kiru Naidoo addresses the authors Jennifer Upton, Janet Giddy, and Catherine Burns. Finally, at 3:45 pm, Dr Kira Erwin will host a session focused on Durban Book Clubs, featuring speakers Venilla Yoganathan from Durban Book Club, Nana Vezi from Not Just For Bookworms, and Lameez Patel from Silent Book Club in the Upper Highway.