On his journey so far, Sumeet Keswani has been a journalist, computer engineer, and film animator. He spent the last six years producing three travel magazines in India, before taking a break to work on his first novel. When he’s not dabbling in different mediums of expression, he’s found camping between aisles of indie bookstores.
On his journey so far, Sumeet Keswani has been a journalist, computer engineer, and film animator. He spent the last six years producing three travel magazines in India, before taking a break to work on his first novel. When he’s not dabbling in different mediums of expression, he’s found camping between aisles of indie bookstores.
Hi, I'm Sumeet!On his journey so far, Sumeet Keswani has been a journalist, computer engineer, and film animator. He spent the last six years producing three travel magazines in India, before taking a break to work on his first novel. When he’s not dabbling in different mediums of expression, he’s found camping between aisles of indie bookstores.
Hi, I'm Sumeet!On his journey so far, Sumeet Keswani has been a journalist, computer engineer, and film animator. He spent the last six years producing three travel magazines in India, before taking a break to work on his first novel. When he’s not dabbling in different mediums of expression, he’s found camping between aisles of indie bookstores.
If you’re the type to go on an Irish literary tour of Dublin or follow the Beat poet beat in San Francisco, have you ever considered planning your trip around a literary festival? Not only do they host some of the best and brightest stars of the literary world, they also span a wide range of beautiful locations—each one worthy of a spot on your bucket list. If that sounds like your cup of tea, here are eight festivals around the world that are worth the trip.
Often called “the greatest literary show on Earth,” the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is a celebration of books, art, culture, and music. Since it always arrives near the end of January—in other words, the best time of the year to tour the Golden Triangle circuit—it makes sense to time your trip to Jaipur to align with the JLF.
Once you’ve mingled with the literati, explore Jaipur’s forts and monuments, learn Sanganeri block printing, or head out of the city—the Taj Mahal in Agra, the holy city of Pushkar, and wildlife-spotting in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve can all be done as day trips.
The premier celebration of international literature in New York, the PEN World Voices Festival is, per their website, a beacon of diversity and freedom of expression. Past featured participants include Mieko Kawakami, Warsan Shire, and Jennifer Egan, to name but a few.
When you’re not attending book talks and lectures, take advantage of NYC’s abundance of activities. Apart from visiting the top attractions, you can tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; get a bird’s-eye view of the NYC skyline from a helicopter; go for a food-tasting tour of the Lower East Side; reserve a guided tour of Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial; or take a day trip to Washington DC.
The Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty, or FLIP, is more than a literary festival. FLIP is a cultural extravaganza that takes over the streets of the Paraty municipality for five days every November. Besides hosting international authors, every edition pays tribute to a Brazilian author and features activities that combine performances, children’s literature, and visual arts.
When you’ve had your fill of the festival, take a boat tour of Paraty’s beaches and islands; swim under waterfalls; trek through a rainforest or along the historic Gold Trail; or go on a snorkeling trip aboard a schooner.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Hay-on-Wye, or simply “Hay,” may be a tiny speck on the Welsh map, but Hay is widely known as the world's largest secondhand and antiquarian book center. Since 1987, the town has hosted the Hay Festival, a celebration of literature and art that is also a mission-led literacy charity.
Situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay is also a beautiful area to explore on a guided mountain hike. Less than two hours away are the Cotswolds, best explored on a private chauffeured tour, and Cardiff, where you can take a historian-led tour of South Wales. You can also see some of West Wales' top attractions if you make the short drive to Swansea.
The London Literature Festival, an annual event held at the Southbank Centre on the Thames, is known for its roster of prestigious names. For 11 days in October, globally-renowned authors and poets as well as thousands of book lovers converge on the riverside venue to take part in panels, workshops, and readings.
While in London, make the most of the city by going on a Thames River cruise from Westminster to Greenwich; taking a history tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge; immersing yourself in the world of Harry Potter; and making day trips to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath.
First held in 2009, the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature takes place each February with a diverse line-up of literary stars from the Middle East and around the world.
Here, spend your spare time exploring the thrilling tourism offerings of the Emirate: go dune-bashing, quad-biking, and sand-boarding in the desert; sunbathe on a yacht; see Dubai from the world’s highest observatory in the Burj Khalifa; and enjoy a three-course meal on an aerial platform.
Held over three weeks in April and May, the Buenos Aires International Book Fair is the one of the largest and most popular events of its kind in the Spanish-speaking world, attracting over 12,000 professional writers and as many as one million readers each year.
While in Argentina, experience cowboy life on an authentic ranch; attend a tango performance ; visit Mendoza vineyards for a taste of local Malbec wines; and witness the majestic Iguazú Falls.
If you’re a literature lover, September is the ideal time to visit Berlin. Every year since 2001, the city transforms into a literature hub for 11 days, with stalwarts such as Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Arundhati Roy, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Svetlana Alexievich in attendance.
Berlin also leaves the curious tourist spoiled for choice. You can go on a craft beer tasting spree or chill at an icebar; take a private walking tour of the German capital’s most diverse neighborhoods; or venture out in search of Berlin’s street art.
