MEDIA RELEASE

  May 2008

  MAIN PROGRAMME AT THE 2008 CAPE TOWN BOOK FAIR

    OUR WORLD IN MANY WORDS

  International authors at this year's event are Marina Lewycka and Alexander McCall Smith. McCall Smith, author of the extremely popular, "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series," returns to Cape Town. Lewycka, author of the award-winning comic novel, "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian," visits South Africa for the first time.  Local authors include novelist and academic Njabulo Ndebele, biographer Mark Gevisser, former parliamentarian Andrew Feinstein, political analysts Moeletsi Mbeki and Xolela Mangcu, popular fiction writers Rayda Jacobs, EKM Dido and Pamela Jooste, award-winning poet Isobel Dixon, and sensational new talents Kopano Matlwa, Rosie Kendal, Jane Bennett, Sihle Khumalo, Niq Mhlongo, Bree O'Mara and Zukiswa Wanner.

An exciting and compelling programme of events will take place between 10am and 5pm from June 14 - 17 in lecture halls and at exhibitor stands in the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with the 2008 theme "Words create Worlds," the evocative thread throughout the Fair. The numerous panel discussions include debates on book reviewing, the TRC, the Arms Deal, crime writing, short fiction, HIV/AIDS and "white" power. A Children's Zone includes story-telling and other interactive events including a birthday celebration for former President Nelson Mandela.

"A wonderful balance has once again been struck between literary and academic events, and more mainstream activities that will appeal to a wide range of readers," says Vanessa Badroodien, Director of the CTBF. "Invaluable feedback from visitors, trade delegations, booksellers and publishers from the 2007 event has assisted in developing a programme that should offer rewards to all who attend, whether they are seeking serious discussion on literature or sheer entertainment."

Mark Espin

CTBF