Wayanad Literature Festival Second Edition To Be Held In December (image-twitter/WLFwayanad)
The second edition of the Wayanad Literature Festival is set to kick off from December 27 onwards at Dwaraka in Mananthavady.
Around 250 writers, cultural figures, filmmakers and artists from India will take part in the fest. The three-day event will take place on December 27, 28 and 29.
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This year’s list of speakers include Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy, retired Supreme Court judge Justice J Chelameswar, Shyam Divan, John Keay, Christophe Jaffrelot, Amitava Kumar, Caroline Buckee, Sara Joseph, and K Satchidanandan, M. Mukundan, Sanjay Kak, K.R. Meera, N.S. Madhavan, Paul Zacharia, Prabha Varma, Benyamin, Kalpetta Narayanan, C.V. Balakrishnan, Santhosh George Kulangara, Sunny M. Kapikad, Sunil P. Elayidom, P.K. Parakkadavu, V.S. Anil Kumar, Veerankutty, Sheetal Shyam, Sukumaran Chaligadha, Subhash Chandran, Shihabuddin Poythumkadavu, Manoj Jathavedaru, Sheela Tomy and Madhupal.
In light of the recent landslides in Wayanad, this year’s festival may also serve as a source of solace for the local community.
The first edition of the event was held in 2022 and was widely acclaimed. Over 100 notable figures in literature and culture served as panelists, and the event attracted 1,000 delegates and around 20,000 spectators. The inaugural edition was launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The international academic conference featuring global experts in literature and academia will be the highlight of the festival. The fest will also address crucial topics such as climate change, environmental awareness and livelihood issues of farmers and tribal communities in the context of the landslides.
Resilience, expression, representation three phrases encompass the crux of the Wayanad Literature Festival,” Festival Director Vinod K Jose is quoted as having said in the release.
The festival will feature a slew of events, including an All India Art and Craft Fair, film screenings, book fair, food stalls, agricultural market, heritage walk, an art biennale and activities for children.
A committee comprising 101 representatives from various sections of Wayanad society is organizing the festival, the release said.
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WLF curator Joseph K Job said that the festival “aims to dispel the misconception that the region is completely devastated by the recent calamities. By showcasing Wayanad’s enduring beauty and resilience, the festival seeks to revitalise the tourism sector, boost the local economy, and restore the region’s lost glory.
The festival is free to attend; however, for those seeking additional benefits, early bird passes are available at an offer price of Rs 599.
