Hay Festival Dhaka Cerebral Celebrations

Photo: Prabir Das

It is not everyday that you get to see such excitement over a poetry reading or discussion of the process of writing. But for those three days of November, Bangla Academy pulsated with activity. It was a scintillating congregation of writers, poets, journalists, musicians, critics, publishers from all over the world and visitors interested in all things cerebral. With so many sessions taking place simultaneously it was hard to choose which one to go to and which one to forgo. Books of fiction, photography and humour were launched and the stalls were crowded with book enthusiasts.
Like the past Hay festivals, this time too there were many stimulating sessions introducing new ways of looking at literature. They dissected the effect on literature of a world that is paradoxically more globalised and politically volatile than ever. They brought in the concept of a South Asian Identity and the influence of conflict on the way poets and writers think and write. Most of all there was poetry and storytelling that could only thrill, invigorate and inspire.
The Star highlights some of those invigorating moments of Hay Festival Dhaka 2014 of which The Daily Star was the title sponsor and talks to some of the personalities who enriched this festival of creative minds.

Photo: Prabir Das

Photo: Prabir Das

Photo: Prabir Das

Photo: Prabir Das