Book lovers celebrate festival return

Authors, poets, moderators, and performers are set to take part in the fifth annual Cape Flats Book Festival, which will be held from Saturday, January 31 to Sunday February 1 at West End Primary School in Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain.

- MARSHA BOTHMA AND OWN CORRESPONDENT

Read to Rise executive director, Taryn Lock.

The free festival, hosted by literacy nonprofit Read to Rise, is open to the public and aims to celebrate reading, writing, and storytelling across generations.

More than 90 speakers are expected to participate across more than 50 sessions for children, young adults, and adults.

These include poetry readings, writing workshops, storytelling sessions, a puppet show, giveaways, books, food stalls, and exhibitors, said programme director Roscoe Williams.

Read to Rise was founded in 2013 and is a nonprofit organisation that promotes youth literacy in under-resourced communities across South Africa.

Read to Rise co-founder Athol Williams said the festival is about changing perceptions of the Cape Flats by centring stories, ideas, and creativity from the area.

“The Cape Flats Book Festival is rewriting the narrative of the Cape Flats by bringing stories, ideas, and dreams to life.