The Hay Festival continues to spread its wings with events in the sub-continent this November 2011.
After 3 days in Kerala (India) from November 17 to November 19 with 2nd edition of Hay Festival Kerala, they head to Dakha (Bangladesh).
The Hay Festival Dakha Day brings 'together writers and thought leaders from Bangladesh and Britain to share ideas and stories' on November 21, 2011 at British Council.
On the program:
"Among those taking part will be Tagore translator and litterateur Fakrul Alam, journalists Mahfuz Anam and Lorna Bradbury, Festival Counsellor and novelist Tahmima Anam, writer and columnist Farah Ghuznavi, storyteller Jan Blake, Hay Festival Director Peter Florence, author and publisher Niaz Zaman, bilingual novelists Jon Gower and Syed Manzoorul Islam, solar energy pioneer Jeremy Leggett, environmental scientist Atiq Rahman, British Council Literature Director Susanna Nicklin, literary critic Firdous Azim, cultural activist and researcher Lubna Marium, teaching artist Naila Azad, poet Kaiser Haq, novelists Andrew Miller, Tiffany Murray, Shazia Omar and special guest, leading feminist author Selina Hossain."
Another aspect of the event that I find interesting is Flash Fiction Mic, an Open Mic Contest:
"Pieces should be flash fiction of up to 500 words, or poetry, on any topic, in English. Winners will have the opportunity to read out their entries at the open mic event at Hay Festival Dhaka on 21 November. The deadline for entries is 15 November 2011. Please email your entries to dhaka [at] hayfestival [dot] com with ‘Hay Festival Dhaka Open Mic Competition’ in the subject line, and not forgetting to include your name, age, and occupation."
Hay Festival Dhaka Day takes place at British Council in Dhaka on November 21, 2011…Doors open at 8:30 am and event ends at 6 pm…Admission is FREE…Registration Online is required.
(* My illustration is photograph of Bangladesh by Safia Azim, from Hay Festival Dhaka Day program page)