Citigroup KL International Literary Festival



Mesej dari Lorna Tee

There's certainly something for everyone at the Citigroup KL Literary Festival happening from the 29th of July until the 1st of August 2004 at various venues in the capital city.

The festival embraces an academic conference with the theme Evolving Faces: Identities and the Printed Page with keynote speakers - award-winning novelist Amit Chaudhuri (India) and Seniman Negara, Professor Muhammad Haji Salleh(Malaysia).

During the afternoons The Renaissance Kuala Lumpur becomes the venue for the Writer's Festival. We have a number of top international and local writers lined up, among them British writer Paul Bailey (twice short-listed for the Booker Prize), Pulitzer prize winning novelist Oscar Hijuelos (author of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love), Swiss- German writer Christian Kracht (described as "the prime stylist of pop") and controversial Indonesian novelist Ayu Utami. Ken Wiwa (son of executed Nigerian poet and activist Ken Saro Wiwa) will talk about his book In The Shadow of a Saint. You can also enjoy a dialogue session with Malaysia's laureate writers (Sasasterawan2 Negara).

Some of Malaysia's most controversial journalists come together with Michael Vatikiotis editor of The Far Eastern Economic Review to discuss the limits of press freedom, in a session entitled The Limits of the Printed Page. Other open forums will focus on the themes of Women's Writing and The Creative Process.

There's plenty too for poetry lovers! Sydney Olympic poet Mark O'Connor and our own Salleh ben Joned team up for an hour of wit and words. Japanese haiku master Kyoshi Koyabashi talks about his art. Expect to hear too from Jan Kemp (New Zealand), Cecil Rajendra (Malaysia), and a host of Singaporean writers including Alvin Pang and Kirpal Singh. Rumah Pena opens its door for an evening in the company of some of the finest writers in the Malay language.

Film fans are certainly not neglected. Local filmmaker Amir Mohammad talks about his craft and the making of his latest film Tokyo Magic Hour, whilst the Japan Foundation presents a series of films based on works by Japanese novelists.

Come along and relax and listen to festival writers entertain you in evening sessions of poetry, prose and music in the Mezzo bar of The Renaissance Hotel or enjoy an informal evening with singer- songwriter Pete Teo and friends as they reveal the creative process involved in writing songs.

Workshop sessions at the Litfest include a creative writing course run by lecturers from the University of Canberra, as well as workshops for teachers and parents. British Council conducts a workshop, Literature through Drama, for children aged 8 to 12, whilst Alfian Sa'at leads a poetry workshop for young writers.

Other highlights of the festival include book launches, exhibitions and performances at KLCC. Public is encouraged to sign up for the conference to qualify for the early bird discount before the 28th of June 2004. More information and many other events can be found on the Litfest website: http://www.silverfishbooks.com or you contact +603 22844837. Silverfish Books is located at 67-1, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.