The contested terrains of lit fests

Literature festivals aren't truly inclusive, but even so, they offer significant opportunities for networking that people can't afford to lose out on

Do literature festivals promote elitism, or do they build bridges and enable access? Is the guarantee of free speech available only to those who promise not to upset the status quo? Are the gatekeepers of art and culture keen on dialogue only as long as dissent remains palatable?

I pondered these questions last week while listening to an invigorating online panel discussion titled “Literature festivals: building trust, celebrating creativity, and strengthening communities”. It was moderated by Jared Shurin, a London-based strategist at M&C Saatchi World Services, as part of Unesco’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2022.

The discussion struck a chord