For the first time ever, Teamwork Arts, producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival, brings to Canada a celebration of literature and the power of dialogue between September 27 and 29, 2019. To celebrate the launch of JLF Toronto, a ‘Curtain Raiser’ announcing the upcoming programme, was jointly hosted by the High Commission of Canada in India and the producer and directors of the Jaipur Literature Festival, at Canada House, New Delhi, on Friday.
Set to take place at Toronto’s Distillery Historic District — one of Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destinations with charming cobbled streets, artists’ studios, cafes, galleries, and the dynamic Young Centre for the Performing Arts — JLF Toronto recreates the magnificent spirit of Jaipur’s annual literary carnival bringing its inclusive and infectious camaraderie to the vibrant capital of Ontario with a heady mix of writers, thinkers, poets, balladeers, and raconteurs.
The High Commissioner of Canada to India Nadir Patel said, “I am very pleased that a new chapter of the renowned JLF will now be hosted in the city of Toronto. Several Canadian writers of eminence have participated in the festival at Jaipur including Margaret Atwood, Yann Martel, Michael Ondaatje, Manjushree Thapa, and Rupi Kaur, to name a few. The festival is yet another milestone in the rich people-to-people ties between our two nations. I am confident that the festival will provide an opportunity to make new connection in the literary and cultural sphere and further enhance our bilateral ties in this sector.”
JLF Toronto follows close-on-the-heels of three JLF editions in the US including JLF Houston on September 13-14, 2019 at the Asia Society Texas Center; JLF New York on September 17-18, 2019 at the Asia Society New York and ZEE JLF Colorado on September 20-22, 2019 at the Boulder Public Library. The festival promises to deliver a dynamic programme encompassing readings, discussions, outdoor performances, art installations, culinary offerings, and an exciting and vibrant street festival.
Uniting internationally-acclaimed authors on a single stage, JLF Toronto will provide world-renowned writers with a unique platform to participate in cross-cultural conversations on an array of topics, including the arts, politics, environment, economics, gender issues, and more.
“We are thrilled to bring the vim and vigour of the world’s biggest literary event to Toronto, and celebrate diversity, while creating a platform to share each other’s stories,” said Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts.