New Delhi, Aug 27 (IANS): As the world works through a new "normal" this year, Teamwork Arts, the producer of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, and the British Library, bring to you a virtual edition of the annual JLF London, with the magnificent piazza of the British Library replaced by the boundless possibilities of the internet.
Everything else remains the same - the magic of discourse, the caravan of ideas, the camaraderie of people, and the seamless flow of knowledge.
'JLF London at the British Library' had a very successful curtain-raiser in June. With 2020 struck by the cloud of a global pandemic, the Festival was postponed from its customary summer dates. In its stead, a virtual edition has been scheduled September 11-13, marking the annual literary event's seventh edition.
The Festival will feature a stellar line-up including celebrated actress Vidya Balan, who will be in conversation with actress and politician Vani Tripathi Tikoo and author and screen-writer Nayanika Mahtani, discussing a behind-the-scenes perspective on the recently-released biopic on the life of the late mathematical genius Shakuntala Devi.
Navigating through the journey of an interconnected group of 12 black women, the 2019 Man Booker Prize-winning "Girl, Woman, Other" is a quest for love, hope, and home, spanning across the legacy of contemporary and colonial Britain.
In conversation with writer Anjum Hasan, one of Britain's most exciting and original authors, Anglo-Nigerian writer Bernardine Evaristo will discuss the idea of womanhood, culture, class, politics, and race coursing through her iconic writings.
She will speak of the binding power of collective experiences and give us a peek into her creative process.
The Festival will also present some intriguing conversations featuring speakers like the much-loved Indian author and politician Shashi Tharoor; Israeli historian and author Avi Shlaim; journalist and bestselling co-author of "I am Malala", Christina Lamb; author of "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line", Deepa Anappara; Indian filmmaker, writer, and singer Shabnam Virmani; journalist and author Roger Highfield; British journalist and novelist John Lanchester and award-winning journalist, restaurateur, chef, and broadcaster Ravinder Bhogal, among many others.
"There is a sense of homecoming as we return, even though virtually, to JLF London at the British Library. Come September, the excitement of unfolding ideas and conversations across continents will bring together book-lovers from across the world," Namita Gokhale, the Jaipur Literature Festival Co-Director and author, said.
"Following on the success of JLF Brave New World we are excited to announce JLF London at the British Library as our ongoing digital series to mark the annual festival in London.While we will miss the physicality of being in London, we look forward to presenting exciting sessions for all our viewers in the UK and across the world," Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of JLF Producer Teamwork Arts, said.
"We are delighted to have worked with JLF and Teamwork Arts to re-imagine this year's festival to take place online so that anyone across the world can take part. Our events -- whether they take place onsite or online -- enable us to make the Library's intellectual heritage accessible to everyone," Jamie Andrews, Head of Culture and Learning at the British Library, said,