Over 500 speakers, performers, and thinkers representing five continents will participate in the four-day event of the 10th edition of Dhaka Lit Fest.
The four-day event has over 175 sessions, as well as a diverse mix of conversations and dialogues, sessions on science and technology, activities for children, young adults, film screenings, theatrical, music, and cultural performances, said a press release issued on Sunday.
The Dhaka Lit Fest, organized by directors Sadaf Saaz, Ahsan Akbar and Kazi Anis Ahmed, will be held at Bangla Academy from January 5-8, 2023.
A press conference in this regard was held at the National Press Club on Sunday.
One of the directors of the event, Sadaf Saaz, said that Dhaka Lit Fest is an event of pride and joy. “We are proud to have some of the biggest writers from around the world with us this time.”
She added that the 10th edition of the Dhaka Lit Fest is set to feature Nobel Prize-winning author and internationally acclaimed prize- winning speakers; winners of the Booker & International Booker, Neustadt International, PEN/Pinter, Prix Médicis, Academy Award, Windham-Campbell Prize, Albert Medal, Waterstones Children's Book Prize, Aga Khan Award, and others.
Sadaf Saaz Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneThis year's line-up features Abdulrazak Gurnah, Nuruddin Farah, Amitav Ghosh, Hanif Kureishi, Pankaj Mishra, Tilda Swinton, Jon Lee Anderson, Onjali Rauf, Sarah Churchwell, Geetanjali Shree, Daisy Rockwell, Esther Freud, Alexandra Pringle, Dame Sarah Gilbert, Marina Mahathir, Joy Goswami, Anisul Hoque, Mashrur Arefin, Kamal Chowdhury, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Marina Tabassum, Syed Manzooral Islam, Imdadul Haq Milan, Kaiser Haq, Shaheen Akhtar, Amitabh Reza and Azmen Haque Badhon, among others.
Meanwhile, Kazi Anis Ahmed said: “We view Dhaka Lit Fest as a festival of ideas. Even though literature is the main theme of the fest, this time we will also discuss films. Tilda Swinton is attending, and we will bring our content creators too.”
He also mentioned that they are discussing OTT as well.
Kazi Anis Ahmed Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneKazi Anis Ahmed later said that among other things, this year's Dhaka Lit Fest will also have discussions on science, as Sarah Gilbert, inventor of AstraZeneca is also attending this year.
“Besides, we have tried to represent the languages of ethnic groups. Another exceptional initiative of this year is that we are bringing two Rohingya poets. We have also organized many presentations for children,” he added.
He also noted that the director and organizers have always tried not to make the event Dhaka-centric. “The entire event has been planned with the intention of allowing writers outside Dhaka to attend and ensuring that women writers are properly represented.”
Later, Ahsan Akbar said: “We are bringing Sarah Gilbert this year as Dhaka Lit Fest was postponed three times due to Covid-19 pandemic.”
“We will have many discussions on science and health. We are also bringing doctors and chefs to learn how to prevent future outbreaks, how to avoid another vaccine, and what healthy foods to eat,” he said.
Ahsan Akbar Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneDhaka Tribune and Bangla Tribune are the event's Title Sponsors, The City Bank Ltd as Platinum Sponsor with British Council as Strategic partner.
Online registration is open at dhakalitfest.com. Tickets are available for Tk200 and Tk500, and entry is free for children under 12.
Any updates will be shared through the festival's website at dhakalitfest.com and the official social media page at facebook.com/dhakalitfest.
For further information, please contact: Rajib Rahman at 01675758812 or info@dhakalitfest.com