Full Circle Digital Magazine August 2013 | Page 48

B O O K S • O P E N B O O K F E S T I V A L • P O E T R Y Poetry in the spotlight Open Book Festival 2013 Date 7th September – 11th September Events will take place at several venues in Cape Town’s ‘Fringe’. They are all within walking distance of each other. Authors and subjects covered range from politics to poetry, kids writing to murder mystery, and comedy to comics. For more information go to openbookfestival.co.za To view the programme Open Book Festival 2013 presents Poetica – a one-day event showcasing a range of Cape Town’s poetic voices, styles and cultures. The 2013 programme showcases a broad range of poetic voices, issues and styles. A total of 23 poets will feature across six different events. “The two different styles of poetry – read and performed – largely tend to draw very different audiences. Our aim with Poetica is to put together an event which features both styles of poetry, in all three of the languages spoken in the Western Cape. In this way, we hope to offer audiences a chance to experience a type of poetry they might not otherwise engage with. We also hope to show the breadth and depth of voices working in Cape Town today, and to explore some of the questions and topics of interest around this literary genre,” says Toni Stuart, the curator of the day’s events. Stuart is a poet, performer and creative writing facilitator and curated The Distance Between Page and Stage in 2012. The day is a series of highlights, kicking off with a discussion around poetry as a tool for social activism (Pen as Sword) and closing with the Open Book Poetry Slam. The slam is run in partnership with Stellenbosch Literary Project’s InZync Poetry Sessions and Lingua Franca’s Naked Word Poetry Sessions, who will each send three finalists to compete in the slam. The first prize is a featured slot at Off The Wall Poetry and a feature slot on Badilisha Poetry Radio. Jacob [email protected] 071 573 3597 Sam-La Rose A highlight of Poetica is the inclusion of British poet Jacob Sam-La Rose, who appears at Poetica through a partnership with the British Council. Sam-La Rose will be in conversation with renowned South African poet, Malika Ndlovu. Date Venue Time Tope Folarin 7th September The Fugard Theatre Annexe, Harrington Street, Cape Town 10am – 9pm Tickets @ webtickets.co.za Caine prize winner confirmed for OBF 2013 Nigerian, Tope Folarin, having just won the fourteenth Caine Prize for African Writing for his short story, ‘Miracle’, is a confirmed author at the Open Book Festival in Cape Town. Folarin is the first writer based outside Africa to win the prize. “I’m elated. I’m a writer situated in the Nigerian disapora, and the Caine prize means a lot – it feels like I’m connected to a long tradition of African writers. The Caine prize is broadening its definition and scope. I consider myself Nigerian and American; both identities are integral to who I am. To win … feels like a seal of approval,” Folarin said. He confirmed his attendance at the third edition of Open Book earlier this week, saying, “I’m incredibly excited to be participating in the Open Book Festival this year. I’ve been a fan of the festival – and many of the authors who will be present – for quite a while.” FULL CIRCLE DIGITAL MAGAZINE AUGUST 2013