Topics ranged from politics to crime and memoirs to fiction by writers from Africa and beyond the continent. Choosing from the 106 sessions on offer at this year’s celebration of books and writers at Franschhoek, one of the most beautiful towns on the continent, was no easy task for me. And dare I say, it was an equally difficult choice to make for those hundreds of book lovers at the annual three-day literary festival that always runs over the third weekend in May, starting on Friday and ending on Sunday.
This year the line-up included renowned South African and international authors. The FLF’s attractiveness is the platform it creates for discussion and debate with writers and other participants. All sessions take place in a variety of village venues that include churches and school halls – all within easy walking distance of each other.
The event’s focus may be on storytelling, but there is a fun side too as the programme includes business breakfasts, live performances, writing workshops and the screening of documentaries. Franschhoek has plenty of excellent eateries offering budget and lavish cuisine, but in the FLF precinct there are pop-up beverage and food stalls, where it is not unusual to bump into and have a chance to natter with authors. As a strategy to encourage and foster a reading culture among youngsters, the FLF is preceded by a Franschhoek reading festival week.
It is a fun event for pupils to keep them entertained and engaged with events which inclu.
