9th TIME OF THE WRITER : 20th TO 25th March 2006

The 9th Time of the Writer, international festival of writers, presents 21 writers in an engaging six day programme of literary events.

With a culturally diverse line-up of writers Time of the Writer 2006 is set to deliver an exceptional platform for dialogue and exchange on wide-ranging subjects from gender and social issues to political affairs, and provide insight into the motivations and processes of writing.

Readings, discussions and book launches take place nightly at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. A broad range of day activities in the form of school-visits, workshops, a publishing forum, an educators’ forum and a prison writing programme, are formulated to promote a culture of reading, writing and creative expression. Of special interest this year is The Changing Face of African Literature conference organized by the Centre for African Literary Studies on the Pietermaritzburg campus. A selection of cartoons by Zapiro will be exhibited at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre during the festival.

Participants include Chris Abani (Nigeria), José Eduardo Agualusa (Angola), Abdelkader Benali (Morroco/Netherlands), Dennis Brutus (South Africa), Brian Chikwava (Zimbabwe), Bernardine Evaristo (United Kingdom), Amitav Ghosh (India), Eric Miyeni (South Africa), Kagiso Lesego Molope (South Africa), Patrice Nganang (Cameroon), Monica Arac de Nyeko (Uganda), OEHM Nxumalo (South Africa), Marguerite Poland (South Africa), Ishtiyaq Shukri (South Africa), Nakanjani Sibiya (South Africa), John van de Ruit (South Africa), Marita van der Vyver (South Africa), Ayu Utami (Indonesia), Eliot Weinberger (USA), Ingrid Winterbach (South Africa) and Zapiro (South Africa).

Full festival Catalogue is available in PDF from this index page

Internationally-acclaimed American writer Alice Walker, who was scheduled to appear at the 9th Time of the Writer Festival in Durban in March, is now unable to attend due to the ill-health of a family member. (see full press release).

Tickets prices are R20 for the evening sessions, R10 for students. Workshops and seminars are free. Book through Computicket (Tel: 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000) or at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 18h30.