2-day Bangalore Lit Fest from December 17

Bookworms and bibliophiles are in for a treat as the much-awaited Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) is set to begin on December 17. The fifth edition of the two-day fest will witness participation of more than 100​ authors and speakers, all under one roof. The highlights event are literature and book quizzes, workshops on writing, journalism, clowning, puppetry, illustration and music concerts, among others.

“This time, we have extended the children’s literature festival to two days. Along with literary events, there would be fun activities planned for kids. Also, we are introducing an ‘Authors’ Circle,’ wherein authors can interact with readers in a separate forum,” said V Ravichandar, one of the organisers.

He said that the organisers have gone out of their way to provide a neutral platform at the fest. Writer Vikram Sampath stirred up a controversy at the last edition of the BLF with his contrarian views on writers returning awards, which prompted many writers to back out of the fest.

One can visit the website www.bangaloreliteraturefestival.org to register. The venue is Hotel Royal Orchid, Old Airport Road and timings of the fest are from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm. Admission is free.

Guest speakers
Former president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union Kanhaiya Kumar, Magsaysay Award winner Bezwada Wilson, actor Anupam Kher and author of ‘Academic Hinduphobia,’ Rajiv Malhotra are few of the guest speakers. Popular writers Chetan Bhagat, Amish Tripathi and Anuja Chauhan, among others, are also attending the fest.