Literary Festivals

Much has changed over the past 66 years since the first literary festival, the Times Cheltenham Literature Festival was launched in 1949. While festival-goers at most of these festivals can now also enjoy some good food, join in discussions and meet their favourite authors, it is important to have a look at the real purpose and value of these events.

Festivals are a way to boost literature and raise awareness around the importance of a literate community, but the understanding of the deeper purpose and value offered by festivals to society depends upon who you ask. The Independent already dealt with this topic in 1994, reporting that publishers find festivals to be the perfect platform to promote their authors and hopefully sell a few books. These events also create the opportunity for publishers to introduce new and up-and-coming authors and showcase their work. For authors, festivals are an escape from the solitary room in which they usually write. Authors get to interact with their readers and can talk about their books, products that take months, even years to produce. They are also places for new authors to make their mark and win over a new audience.

Most festivals are not just curated to educate, but also to entertain and there is no reason to frown upon those festival-goers who find the food and wine to be the best part of the event. Literary festivals are nowadays much more than just the traditional sit-down-and-listen event and involve the audience much more, offering discussions, debates and enlightenment. But it seems like most of the readers believe festivals are a way to bridge the gap between them and the writer and they see them as an opportunity to get a glance at the behind the scenes life of a book or author.

Literary festivals have past the age of only showcasing books and authors and most festivals nowadays also offer a range of other events. While these other events still mostly deal with the literary arts, their addition also broadens the audience, making festivals suitable for lovers of culture. According to Ling Dobson, founder of the Pam Golding Knysna Literary Festival, the community enjoys the author-to-audience interaction these festivals offer. “They absolutely embrace and appreciate the exposure to the SA Authors, the fun interaction and political opinions.” It is no wonder that festivals keep popping up. They create a unique and valuable platform for everyone involved and no matter what your reasons are for attending, keep on supporting literacy.

• What are literary festivals for?
• BOOKS / Making Hay: The Festival: From next Friday until Monday 30 May, Hay-on-Wye sees a flood of writers and performers. Blake Morrison anatomises the craze for literary festivals: showbiz or academe, camaraderie or adventure? www.independent.co.uk