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The South Asian region has produced some of the best and finest pieces of literature in the world. It is also apt to say that literature festivals have grown popular over the years. Many South Asian authors have delivered iconic works, and this has contributed significantly in placing south Asia on the literary map. The bouvier affair brings to you some of the best literature festivals celebrated over the year.
- Garre Sri Lanka (Garre Literature festival)
It is in its 19th year, and the festival has proven to be one of the leading festivals in Sri Lanka’s literary calendar. The port of the city of Galle has become the ideal host for this festival due to its history in adopting and welcoming visitors. This literature festival is quite impressive with many famous and intelligent authors to watch out for. In terms of cultural events, Sri Lanka’s art at the Galle features a trail of 20 pop-up galleries, sculptures, paintings, photography, installations and posters.
- Jaipur, India. (Jaipur literature festival.)
It’s one of the most established literary festivals in the world. This festival has set a benchmark for the rest of the region. The last festival hosted up to 350 000 guests. With the number expected to go up this year, it hosted over 250 authors from 35 countries at the historic Diggi Palace hotel. Along with authors and artists from all over the world, vibrant performances and music are quite popular during this festival. The three-day long cultural event prepares a musical stage for maximum musical entertainment for the attendees.
As the home for the most popular and fancy architecture in India, Jaipur’s forts and palaces were the most popular around. The top picks, just to mention a few, include; City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, and Amber Fort which make for an apt site to celebrate the rich heritage of India. From 14 attendees at this festival back in 2004, the Jaipur literature festival now has over 250,000 people joining the celebrations.
- Karachi, Pakistan. (Karachi Literature Festival)
This festival is not as popular as Jaipur and Galle literature festivals but is increasingly gaining popularity as the years go by. Last year’s Karachi literature festival was held in London’s Southbank Centre to commemorate the 70th year of Pakistan gaining its independence. Along with other literature festivals held before, this festival plays a role in giving Pakistan’s varied literature greater recognition in the literary world.
This year’s festival had significant authors attending the festival with international authors also demonstrating great interest in the same.
Cultural events like poetry reading in Urdu at a recital, known as Mushaira also grace these celebrations. These poems are an essential part of the Pakistani culture, going back to the days when poets would gather to recite their poetry.
This festival first started in 2010 with 5000 people in attendance and by 2013, had gained an audience of 50,000 people, with a lineup of the most famous authors in Pakistan.
Literary festivals are fantastic places to be, it’s like a free three-day university. These places are packed with academics, scientists and even historians. The South Asian literature seem to have a lot to give to the world and allow the people to immerse themselves in a rich diverse culture.
