Kolkata, Dec 7 (IBNS): Apeejay Surrendra Group and Oxford Bookstore on Thursday announced the fourth edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2013 (AKLF 2013), to be hosted in Kolkata from January 9 to January 13.
From an evening at Victoria Memorial, to a twilight graveyard conversation at St. John's church and a warm afternoon at the Lascar monument or a night on the banks of the Hoogly under the stars, AKLF will witness a host of literary events with a number of book launches and panel discussions.
"The festival sees increased interest and participation form global talents. We even have bookings for the next year as well," said associate director of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival Anjum Katyal.
Global personalities from across the UK, Turkey, Germany, France, Norway, Malaysia and neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh will also participate.
This year among other themes from across language, literature, art and culture, AKLF 2013 will be celebrating ‘A Century of Indian Cinema’ , which aims to curate encounters and discussions projecting the changing phases of Indian Cinema.
Percussionist and composer Bikram Ghosh, who is also associated with AKLF, said, "Hundred years of cinema would not have been possible without a thousand books. If you are reading a book, you're adding value to your mind."
The inaugural ceremony will commence with a tribute to the theme by eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal.
This year the festival will witness a special performance by the National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi with Tom Alter, Barun Chanda and others to commemorate the centenary of legendary Pakistani writer Saddat Hasan Manto, in an act called, 'When Galib Met Manto-Ek Guftagu'.
This year the festival has roped in some of the famous literary personalities, like historian Ramchandra Guha, who will take over the stage with 'What kind of Asian was Gandhi?'
Late poet and novelist Sunil Gangopadhayay will receive a tribute, along with several book launches by William Dalrymple, Tasmeen Premji, Pavan Varma, and select discussions with international authors like Yasmin Ali Bhai Brown, Kenzil Mourad, Inka Parei, Dorothy Elmingar, Mira Hashmi, Farah Ghuznavi and others.
A session has been designed for children to interact with Justice Leila Seth who will take them through 'We the Children of India'- a Preamble to the Constitution of India.
The festival this year has also partnered with Tibor Jones South Asia Prize 2013, to honour budding authors from South Asian region.
Cultural event presenter Oindrilla Dutt, said, "Lot of things have taken up the place in our lives like sports, TV...so this festival is not only catering to literature but also reaches out to youth and celebrate the city."
(Reporting by Shabarni Basu, Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
