/ Reviews
Shanghai International Literary Festival
by Ruth Waldron
on Friday, March 04, 2011 12:00 AM
It's that time of year again, when world-class literary talents land in Shanghai for a three-week literary feast. M on the Bund has once more put together a great guest list of 85 writers from all corners of the globe.
Audiences can look forward to an exciting array of readings, discussions, debates and workshops, covering a panoply of subject matter and style.
Both paper-based literature and the ever-widening sphere of writing on the internet will be explored during ‘The Bloggerati' on March 4; while a variety of news journalists, including Megan Stack (March 5) and Michiel Hulshof (March 6), will shine a light on current events and society in the Middle East and China, as well as broader world issues.
For those who prefer to put their reading into action, Nick Malgieri, author of BAKE!, shares tales of life and baking on March 19; and Qiu XiaoLong will present a literary ‘Walk Through Red Dust Lane', departing from The Glamour Bar on March 20.
The next generation's promising pens are also being put to paper with events aimed at nurturing a love of literature in children, like The Tale of Rhonda Rabbit reading by Sarah Brennan on March 5, Tove Applegren's Monster Mums and Moping Daughters and Other Stories on March 6, and even a whole day of workshops specifically for kids on Sunday, March 20.
It is safe to say that the ‘FT Debate', ‘Asian Crime Gang' and Peter Hessler talks will all be packed. Similarly, award-winning author Thomas Keneally (Schindler's Ark) - one of the biggest names appearing this year - is sure to be popular, as is Emma Donoghue, who was recently nominated for the Booker Prize for her novel Room, based on the notorious "Fritzl case".
Glamour Bar and the Crystal Room at M on the Bund are hosting all of the ‘Literary Festival', as they have done since its inception. Inaugurated nine years ago, the idea first began to take root when owner Michelle Garnaut invited a writer attending the Hong Kong Literary Festival to read at what was then known as Glamour Room and Bar on the Bund. Since those days, the event has evolved into one of the high points in the annual cultural calendar.
Tickets for the ‘Shanghai International Literary Festival' are available from www.mypiao.com. Standard talks cost RMB65, including a drink, though tickets for students and children are RMB10. Seats at the more intimate literary lunches are also available for RMB188.
