If you think that Cartagena parties are only for those who love loud music, dance vigorously, and such, then you should think again.. Parties in Cartagena are also well-accepted by some of the world's literary enthusiasts.
This is certainly the case for the organizers of Britain's Hay Festival, whose fifth edition of the literary meeting will take place in this colonial port next week. Among the prominent writers who will grace the event are Writers Ian McEwan of England and Mario Vargas Llosa of Per, while Afro-beat saxophonist Manu Dibango of Cameroon will be one of the musicians who'll be also arriving there.
The literary festival was founded in 1988, in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, where it receives popular support among the literary community. Since then, satellite festivals have been althroughout the globe, including Beirut and Nairobi.
The four-day gathering in Cartagena will start this coming Thursday and is expected to draw at least 500 people from the local and international literary scene. It has its origins from living literary legends and literary customs in Europe, where poets and literary figures read works out loud in front of a full pub.
That will be most likely the case for Cartagena's festivals, as around 90 writers are expected to take part in the readings, conversations, and the workshops that will take place in the streets, pubs, and cafes, of the colonial port.
For writers, this will be an excellent opportunity for them to get in touch with their audience. Writers are not know to have very good relationships with their readers, after all.
For the audience, well, this will be a good chance to see your favorite authors in person! Maybe you could get an autograph or two, or maybe you could just listen to them while they read their works directly to you. So if you have the time to spare this coming week, I suggest you go ahead to the Hay Festival and enhance your literary knowledge.
