The 2023 Franschhoek Literary Festival will offer Afrikaans literature as part of a rich and engaging three-day programme. Afrikaans makes its appearance for the first time at the festival through a mix of sessions in Afrikaans and Afrikaans authors and books.
Afrikaans sessions
On 19 May, the session BLOEDHONDE takes place between 4:00 and 5:00 pm at the Old School Hall. In what is set to be a lively discussion in Afrikaans, Jonathan Amid and seasoned crime writers, Rudie van Rensburg (Doolhof) and Irma Venter (Die Verkeerde Vrou) explore favourite characters like Kassie Kasselman, Carl Nester and Ami Prinsloo and galloping plotlines involving a dead businessman and no less than six suspects, a missing woman and the investigative journalist who gets pulled in to find her.
Another session in Afrikaans is SHEILA CUSSONS 100 on 20 May from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at Hospice Hall (sponsored by Pam Golding). Sheila Cussons is considered one of the most important Afrikaans poets and, in celebration of her 100th anniversary, Amanda Botha talks to Adriaan Potgieter about his book In die Klipknoets van Haar Vuis. Potgieter gives a fresh and exceptional angle on Cussons, the important choices and events of her life, while maintaining the intuitive and esoteric nature of her work.
Afrikaans authors, books and performances
Poet Antjie Krog makes several appearances at this year’s festival. In the session VERSES & REVERSES (20 May,10:00 - 11:00 am at the Congregational Church) Dominique Botha will be in conversation with Antjie Krog about Pillage, the English translation of her first collection of poetry in eight years – a powerful reflection on family, land and the act of plunder, whether imposed by time, nature or human agency. The collection was originally published in Afrikaans as Plunder and was translated by poet Karen Press.
Krog will be performing in Afrikaans in WORDS FLY UNDER NIGHT SKIES (20 May, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Church Hall). Curator and poet Malika Ndlovu brings together six Cape Town-based word weavers, including Krog alongside Khadija Tracey Heeger, Nondwe Mpuma, musician Lodi Paul Ingha with Balisa Nathi storytellers and hosts of The Story Club Town – Philippa Kabali-Kagwa and Nolubabalo Rani.
Another not-to-be-missed performance comes from singer, songwriter and storyteller Nataniël in concert with Steinway pianist Charl du Plessis, featuring stories and songs in Afrikaans and English. The event takes place on 19 May from 7:00 - 8:30 at the NG Church (sponsored by Ninety One SA). Arts journalist and longtime friend Diane de Beer talks to Nataniël about storytelling, longevity, inspiration and the rare art of understanding cover design in the session SPEAK TO YOUR SPARK on 19 May.
The list of Afrikaans authors taking part in this year’s festival also includes Chase Rhys who will discuss Misfit: Stories vannie anne kant – a collection of his acclaimed pieces in Kaaps for Rapport - where he explores identity, sexuality, family relationships and people who don't fit in. Lester Kiewit facilitates this session SEEN & HEARD (20 May 1:00 - 2:00 pm, Congregational Church) that also includes Welcome Mandla Lishivha who writes about navigating life in the township as a queer boy in Boy on the Run.
Herman Lategan, author of Hoerkind (soon to be published in English) joins Melinda Ferguson (Bamboozled) at the session FULL DISCLOSURE on 19 May. Koketso Sachane will discuss the art of self-narrative with these two maestros of bittersweet memoir, asking what it feels like to reveal everything to the world.
Ettiene van Heerden takes part in the session WELCOME TO BABEL (19 May, 4:00 - 5:00 pm, Congregational Church). Van Heerden will be in conversation with Michiel Heyns about his audacious novel A Library to Flee (translated from Die biblioteek aan die einde van die wêreld by Henrietta Rose-Innes), a sprawling exploration of campus culture wars, state surveillance and the dystopian power of the internet. Finally, well-known son of Franschhoek, Grant Jefthas, joins the session INCANTATIONS (19 May, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, Council Chambers) where Malika Ndlovu will be conversation with Jefthas about his new collection, Afvlerkmens, and actor, playwright and activist, Khadija Tracey Heeger about her collection Thicker Than Sorrow.
The festival thanks FLF 2023 partners including Franschhoek Wine Valley, FLF founding sponsor Porcupine Ridge, official FLF bookstore Exclusive Books, as well as sponsors News24, Ninety One SA, Yellowwoods Social Investments, Jonathan Ball Publishers, NB Publishers, PanMacmillan, Pam Golding Properties, Discovery and venue sponsors Le Quartier Français and Sterrekopje.
To book your seat at these or any of the other 80 sessions at this year's Franschhoek Literary Festival visit www.flf.co.za or go directly to Webtickets.