The South Asian Literature Festival, organised by Bhavit Mehta and Jon Slack of Amphora Arts, will be taking a year-long break. The festival, held across 10 days in London is set to return in 2015.
Since its inception in 2010, SALF has hosted prominent authors at more than 200 events across London, with a range of discussions, interviews, book launches, workshops, school activities, exhibitions, films and performances. SALF usually takes place throughout October/November each year.
In an email sent out to festival supporters this week (September 21) the team is said to be ‘re-exploring the Festival’s model for 2015 and that the year long break is ‘being used to develop ideas, secure partnerships with arts and literature organisations in different regional centres, rejuvenate formats and update our fundraising strategy in a challenging climate.’
Writer and broadcaster Bidisha has long supported the festival. In a statement to The Asian Writer, she said: ‘I’m sad to see that the South Asian Literature Festival isn’t on this year, for entirely selfish reasons: the festival has consistently been my go-to event to talks, discussions, ideas, book recommendations and literary inspiration connecting me as a British Asian in London to the brilliance, drive, politics and dynamism of my sisters and brothers all over the world.
‘I have supported the SALF from its very inception because of the expansiveness of its vision, its inclusiveness and its ability to combine literary inspiration, social and political issues, history and current movements both in art and in society, through a series of expertly curated and brilliantly organised events. I know it will come back even bigger and even better in 2015.’
Photo credit: Kajal Nisha Patel
