The Glenwood Book Fair, organised by MYGLENWOOD and the Durban Book Club, aims to drive a vibrant culture of reading and writing while celebrating Durban's prestige as a UNESCO City of Literature. The not-for-profit community festival will feature nearly 60 authors, poets, historians, and artists alongside storytelling sessions, live performances, and community discussions. Every session across the four days will be completely free to the public.
The festival will span four iconic venues throughout the suburb, with a focus on promoting indigenous language publishing, fostering local creative talent, and supporting youth literacy. On day one, the youth-focused program will be held at the Umbilo Library at Bulwer Park, featuring Story Hour with Deborah Ewing, Sam Moodley, and Mpume Ngcobo. A panel discussion titled "The Children's Voice" will be facilitated by Kirsten Miller, with Dr Devi Rajab, Michelle Mathysen, Shristi Ashmaya, and others.
Day two of the festival will focus on indigenous languages and the arts, with a morning session at the Mazisi Kunene Museum celebrating South Africa's first poet laureate, Mazisi Kunene. The panel discussion "The isiZulu Voice" will feature Dr Nakanjani Sibiya, Ayanda Mchunu, Ntombenhle Dlamini, and Sindiswa Zulu. Prof Nompumelelo Zondi will discuss Kunene's legacy, followed by a performance by Lamakhosi Kunene.
The afternoon session on day two will be held at the KZNSA Gallery, exploring the intersection of visual art and narrative in "The Artist's Voice" with Nanda Soobben, Franco Frescura, Luke Molver, and Dayakar Padayachee. A panel titled "The Durban Voice" will feature bestselling local authors Sven Axelrad, Shubnum Khan, ZP Dala, and Nathi Olifant.
On days three and four, the main venue will be the Phansi Museum, hosting a vintage and craft market, street lit program, and featured panels on identity, history, and current affairs. Discussions will include "Being South African" with Dudu Busani-Dube, Dr Devi Rajab, Kirsten Miller, and Elana Bregin, "Uncomfortable Truths" with Prof Ashwin Desai, and "A Sense of Place" facilitated by Dr Michael Sutcliffe.
The festival will also feature spotlight writers and books, including sessions with authors Sue Nyathi, a preview for the Mikula Book Auction, and the launch of Sinikithemba. A parallel Silent Book Club experience will be hosted by Silent Book Club Durban North at Poké Box near Phansi Museum, followed by a showcase of Durban's book clubs.
Organiser Vasantha Angamuthu expressed appreciation for the community effort behind the event, giving thanks to key partners including Ike's Books, Micromega Publishing, the Durban International Book Fair, Phansi Museum, KZNSA, the Mazisi Kunene Museum, and eThekwini Municipal Libraries. The Glenwood Book Fair promises an unforgettable Heritage Weekend for all, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Key points
- The Glenwood Book Fair will feature nearly 60 local authors across four iconic venues.
- The festival will focus on promoting indigenous language publishing, fostering local creative talent, and supporting youth literacy.
- Every session across the four days will be completely free to the public.
