Commonwealth literature set to conquer Delhiites hearts
New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Delhi is all set to welcome Commonwealth literature through a series of discussions and events, workshops, symposiums and interactions between school children and award-winning writers.
As India becomes the venue of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize ceremony for the first time April 12, a five-day run up to the event beginning Wednesday will see the regional winners of the awards and judges promote quality literature through a series of discussions and events among the GenNext and students in the capital.
The winners of the best book and the first book from seven countries across four Commonwealth regions were announced in March.
While Daniyal Mueenuddin from Pakistan won the best first book for “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders”, Rana Dasgupta from Britain won the best book award for “Solo” in the Europe and South Asian region. They will compete for the final crown with 12 regional winners.
The Commonwealth Foundation literary sessions will begin with a workshop, “Act To Alphabet: The Fantastical and The Real – a creative writers’ workshop” at the Bal Bharati Public School in Pitampura to be attended by regional winners Daniyal Mueenuddin, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Marie Heese, Michael Crummey, Shandi Mitchell, Rana Dasgupta and Glenda Guest.
It will be followed by symposiums on topics like “The Rule Is There Is No Rule: Writing For Self Expression”, “Multi-Cultural Identities: Artistic Expressions”, “Across Language Boundaries: Translating Ideas and Concepts”, “Market Is King? Publishers and Writers Speak of Experiences” and “Entertainment, Escapism, Exposure: What Makes Up the Desire to Read”.
The highlight of the run-up blitz are interactions between school children and regional winners. The Commonwealth authors will interact with students of Springdales School, the British School and inmates of the Salaam Balak Trust.
The venues will be spread across Alliance Francaise, Bal Bharati Public School, the British Council, The British School, Crossword Bookstore, the Full Circle Bookstore, Gulmohar Hall, India International Centre, Select Citywalk, Jamia Millia Islamia and the University of Delhi South Campus.