The charming village of Franschhoek will again be transformed into a literary hub from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May, when the Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) celebrates its 16th year since inception.
Running for three days, a content-rich programme packed with informal discussions, lively debates, insightful conversations and inspired talks will bring together a cross-section of South African and international authors.
Now, festival goers have even more time and space to fully embrace the spirit of the weekend. The FLF is excited to announce a new patron package that has been added to its Membership Programme.
Patron members are eligible for a gold pass, which means that a concierge service removes all the fuss out of ticket arrangements, they are given priority booking and have free access to all sessions, subject to availability. Members’ names are also added to the patron board on the FLF website.
The standard annual membership also offers priority booking to its members, who receive a 15% discount on all festival events, have free access to all recorded sessions and are automatically entered into the annual lucky draw.
“The popularity of the festival means that sessions are booked out so quickly – especially the key sessions,” explained festival director Elitha van der Sandt. “So it’s a huge benefit for members to be able to book in advance.”
Not only do members have sight of the programme one week before the public, they are also able to book tickets a week before: advanced booking for members open on 12 March 2023, while public bookings open on 19 March 2023.
“We’ve also introduced Membership Programme gift vouchers, because the exciting rewards make it an ideal gift for lovers of literature – particularly for this time of the year, when the Christmas gift conundrum is upon us,” Van der Sandt added.
Importantly, supporting the Membership Programme also makes a significant contribution to the Franschhoek Literary Festival CSI initiative, Franschhoek Reading.
“It enables us to fund and maintain the FLF school libraries at four primary schools in the Franschhoek Valley and expand our school libraries project to high schools,” Van der Sandt pointed out.
To date, Franschhoek Reading has donated over R1,7 million and put more than 7 500 books into local primary schools, established regular weekly library lessons for 65 classes, and continues to positively influence the reading experience of at least 3 000 learners each year.
The Membership Programme also assists in providing a platform for new voices, attracting new audiences and curating a more culturally diverse literary experience and enables the FLF to celebrate and host some of the greatest contemporary authors and thought leaders from South Africa, Africa and the world.
“We have to say a special thank you to our founding sponsor, Porcupine Ridge, whose ongoing support kept Franschhoek Reading libraries going during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Van der Sandt said. “And to News24, Spier Arts Trust, Exclusive Books, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Pan Macmillan, NB Publishers and Investec who helped to sponsor the revival of the FLF after a three-year hiatus.”
