One of Jozi’s many annual highlights is the Kingsmead Book Festival taking place this year on 24th May. See my blog from last year’s fair. Hosted at Kingsmead School in Rosebank, it’s a day filled with panel discussions on a range of topics, writer’s talks and workshops, cookery demonstrations and more. There’s an entire children’s programme with story telling for real littlies, as well as topics relevant for older kids and teenagers. So if you want to hear about different views on South Africa’s current geo-political situation; how to get the most out of journalling; or why we are fascinated with murder mysteries … this is where you need to be on the 24th.
There are 5 sessions (one and a half hours each) starting at 9.30 with a half-hour break in between. With at least 18 concurrent sessions (6 for children, 3 for teenagers and 9 for adults), making a choice is really difficult. See here for the programme. And here for the list of participants. The winner of the 2025 Young Writers’ Competition will also be announced.
There is always a variety of food goodies available from the different stalls. If the weather holds and it’s one of Jozi’s sublime autumnal days, enjoy your meal with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at one of the many available tables, usually set up with fabulously creative décor. Make the most of a passing chat with fellow bibliophiles or simply watch the passersby as you absorb your last session and plan for the next.
And for those of you who are bookaholics, Exclusive Books has a shop where all the books discussed during the day are for sale. Authors are available after each session for book signing. Don’t worry if, like me, you feel you already have too many unread books at home. Remember that the famous author Umberto Eco, who owned 50,000 books, had this to say about home libraries:
It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticize those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones. There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion. If, for example, we consider books as medicine, we understand that it is good to have many at home rather than a few: when you want to feel better, then you go to the ‘medicine closet’ and choose a book. Not a random one, but the right book for that moment. That’s why you should always have a nutrition choice! Those who buy only one book, read only that one and then get rid of it. They simply apply the consumer mentality to books, that is, they consider them a consumer product, a good. Those who love books know that a book is anything but a commodity.
So revel in the joys of hearing about, talking about, buying and reading … even more books!