Amid controversies over the participation of CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi, 11th edition of Jaipur Literature was inaugurated on Thursday. However Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, a regular to the festival, who was to inaugurate JLF 2018 gave it a miss.
The festival which will witness over 280 authors speaking on range of topics from fiction to non-fiction, was eventually inaugurated by former Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva and British-born American essayist and novelist Pico Iyer.
Delivering the keynote address, Pico Iyer, a noted author expressed his happiness over the fact that even at a time when bookstores and publishers are closing down in many parts of the world, there are new bookshops and publishers, readers and festival in India.
Festival co-director William Dalrymple recalled its 11-year-long journey and said that although there are hundreds of literary events around the globe, there are only four or five, that boast off a stellar line-up of award-winning writers. "And we are the only one absolutely free for everybody and are the largest literature festival in the world," he said.
Festival producer Sanjoy Roy in his address urged the visitors to realise the potential and significance of culture. "We know that art and culture is the driving force of our society. It is crucial in contemporary times that citizens understand the importance of culture, he said.
Meanwhile, Shree Rajput Karni Sena has warned that they will be protesting against the presence of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prashoon Joshi at the festival.
Published 25 January 2018, 07:58 IST