International Festivals: Africa - England

AFRICA
Cairo International Book Fair (no web site)
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Date: January-February
A long-running book fair, it now attracts 3,000 exhibitors and three million visitors from all over the world and caters to the trade as well as the public. Events include art exhibits and lectures, seminars, music and discussions.

Cape Town International Book Fair
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Date: June
This festival is massive with publishers from 30 countries on the African continent and nearly three dozen international countries represented. More than 470 separate events take place over a four-day period, and better than 200 South African authors appear along with a number of international authors. Among the events are book launches, readings, debates, book signings and panel discussions, workshops, performances and two literary award ceremonies.

Nairobi International Book Fair (no web site)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Date: September-October
This fair, organized by the Kenya Publishers Association, emphasizes locally published books and magazines. However, they are attracting a number of international exhibitors who showcase their books for the trade as well as the public.

Poetry Africa
Location: Durban
Date: October
This festival, which focuses on poetry from Africa, offers a week-long program of performances, readings, music and book launches, seminars, workshops, competitions, open mic opportunities and school visits.

Zimbabwe International Book Fair (non-working web site)
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Date: July-August
Its web site is not working at the time of writing. You might be able to reach them through this address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUSTRALIA
Melbourne Writers Festival
Location: Melbourne
Date: August-September
Despite its name, this is a festival for readers as well as writers. Keynote speakers for opening night, book launches, readings, signings, professional sessions for writers, free workshops and presentations, breakfasts, book clubs, children’s afternoon teas and numerous other events make this a must-see festival.

BALI
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
Location: Ubud
Date: September
With six days of discussions, creative workshops (batik, yoga, puppet making), book launches, a gala opening, literary luncheons and dinners, a wonderful children’s program, poetry, live theatre, films, music and dance with writers from more than 16 countries appearing, this is one fantastic festival.

BRAZIL
Bienal do Livro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Date: September (every odd year)
Note that the above link is to the English language version of this incredible festival’s site. A ten-day event that includes numerous activities in the Literary Café, Discussion Forum, Young Arena, Poetry Mezzanine, Readers Corner, Nobel Events, three pavilions, and much more.

CANADA
For up-to-date information on Canadian literary and book festivals, this web site has a good list with contact information.

Ânskohk Aboriginal Literature Festival (no web site)
Location: Saskatoon
Date: October
For information, contact Donna Heimbecker of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company at (306) 933-2262 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Atlantic Book Festival
Location: Halifax
Date: May
This festival is a series of readings, book launches, workshops and panel discussions, children’s activities, tours, and awards that take place in various venues in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island).

Banff Mountain Book Festival
Location: Banff
Date: October-November
This festival focuses on celebrating “the world’s best mountain and adventure travel stories” by offering presentations of authors of such books, a book fair featuring mountain literature, as well as maps, archival material, antiquarian books, and book signings, and literary luncheons

Blue Metropolis Festival
Location: Montreal
Date: April-May
This five-day gathering of writers, literary translators, musicians, actors, journalists and publishers from all over the world calls itself the “world’s first multilingual literary festival.” The events are offered in English, French, Spanish and other languages and include the awarding of the Blue Metropolis International Literary Grand Prix at the opening night gala and the Arab Literary Prize, writing workshops, presentations, lectures and panels, a poetry soirée, a “translation slam,” and much more.

Canadian Aboriginal Literary Festival (no web site)
Location: Brandon, Manitoba
Date: October
For information, contact Di Brandt at Brandon University by calling (204) 726-4767.

International Festival of Authors (no web site)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Date: October
For information, contact Christiane Saratsiotis at (416) 973-4760 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Literary Arts Windsor Festival (no web site)
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Date: November
For information, contact Emily Duff at Literary Arts Windsow at (519) 253-7970 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

LitFest - Edmonton International Literary Arts Festival
Location: Edmonton
Date: October
A unique festival, this one calls itself “Canada’s only Creative Non-fiction Festival” because “the genre has the ability to “inspire and provoke debates on the themes that define our present and may shape our future.” Events include a gala opening on Thursday evening, and panels and author interviews on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words
Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Date: July
It says it is neither a convention nor a book fair, but what this multi-day festival does include is performances, workshops, panels, interviews, readings, dramas, cabarets, book signings, and special youth events and adult social events that include novelists, poets, creative non-fiction writers, media figures, comedians, dramatists, singer-songwriters and storytellers.

Small Press Book Fair
This is a blog that lists all Canadian small press book fairs. If you live there, it is worth bookmarking.

Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
Location: Sechelt, British Columbia
Date: August
More than 20 events—most of them author presentations and panels—plus a “Wild Salmon Barbeque,” a “Big Tent” with literary goodies, and daily contests make this a genuinely fun festival.

Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival
Location: Granville Island
Date: October
Another six-day glorious event devoted to the written word, this festival offers plenty of panels, presentations, readings, debates, authors, special events (a Spell Off, Literary Cabaret, a poetry bash, a Sunday brunch, intimate evenings with authors, an afternoon tea), a festival bookstore and much more.

Wilde About Sappho
Location: Various cities in Canada
Date: November
A celebration of gay and lesbian literature, this festival offers an evening with cocktail reception and readings by local, regional, national and international authors from “the sexuality and gender mosaic.”

Word on the Street
Location: Toronto
Date: September
This festival has it all—an astonishing array of tents, stages, marquees, young adults events, children’s activities on KidStreet, panels and presentations, talks, lectures and more.

COLUMBIA
Bogotá International Book Fair
Location: Bogotá
Date: April-May
Open to both industry professionals (on certain days) and the general public, this fair prides itself on being the “cultural exposition” through an immense gathering of professionals in their various fields gathered together in congresses, workshops, expositions, forums, lectures and book signings. “All of this,” it notes, “has an aim to make Colombia a reader country.”

CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague Writers’ Festival
Location: Prague
Date: June
This festival offers five days of panels, “conversations” and book signings with world-class authors around an important annual theme.

ENGLAND:
The British Council has a page that links to numerous UK literary festivals (far too many to list here). It is regularly updated, and festivals are listed by the month. Here are just a few.

Bath Literature Festival
Location: Bath
Date: February-March
This festival is spread out over a wonderful ten days with more than 100 literary events—discussions, panels, presentations, signings, films, walks, talks, family events and more—involving journalists, novelists, poets, politicians, actors, comedians, scriptwriters and biographers.

Bath Festival of Children’s Literature
Location: Bath
Date: September
Ten days of children’s books and readings make this one of the premier events for young readers with authors, illustrators and storytellers offering nearly unlimited events plus a Doctor Who Night and a Super Saturday.

Birmingham Book Festival
Location: Birmingham
Date: October
Authors and poets, book launches, text-based music and performances, conversations and panels, Readers’ Day and writers’ workshops (including some unique ones) make up this festival.

Cheltenham Literary Festival
Location: Cheltenham
Date: October
A ten-day festival devoted to books and reading. With 400 writers and 350 events, readings, discussions, special happenings like Voices Off, Word on the Street, UK All-Stars Poetry Slam, Festival Challenge, and much more this is a festival that should not be missed.

Folkestone Literary Festival
Location: Folkestone
Date: November
Nine days of more than 70 speakers, readings, schools’ events, writing workshops with notable authors, poetry and short story competitions, debates and literary enquiry, live performances, special children’s events, family reading sessions, a book swap, exhibitions, town tours and “huge amounts of fun.”

Guildford Book Festival
Location: Guildford
Date: October
This festival offers an exciting line-up of Britain’s best writers and personalities in a wide-ranging celebration of the written word through panel discussions, discussions, book signings, screenings, performances, Quiz Night, musical extracts, children’s programs and workshops, awards, a short story competition and a Presentation Dinner.

Henley Literary Festival
Location: Henley
Date: September
This “three-day celebration of the written word” offers over 60 events—author conversations, discussions with poets, politicians and other public figures, debates, talks, special lunches, performances for children, workshops and more.

Ilkley Literature Festival
Location: Ilkley
Date: September-October
This festival includes top national and international names, authors events, discussions, workshops, poetry and short story competitions, literary walks, Festival Fringe, readers' events, a popular Open Mic, a Children’s Literature Festival Weekend and special events for National Poetry Day.

Ledbury Poetry Festival
Location: Ledbury
Date: June-July
Britain’s largest poetry festival takes place over ten days during the summer. Featuring contemporary poets, actors and media personalities. The festival includes readings, performances, exhibitions, music, walks & talks, workshops and a wonderful atmosphere in the mediaeval town of Ledbury.

London Literature Festival
Location: London
Date: June-July
For two weeks, you can hear international and prize-winning authors read and discuss work from children's literature to dub poetry, enjoy historians, poets, performers and artists, visit the riverside book market, discover the Saison Poetry Library and take part in debates and reading groups across Southbank Centre, the home of live literature in London. A feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

Lowdham Book Festival
Location: Lowdham
Date: June
Spanning a full week, this festival offers events range widely: sports weekend activities, lectures, talks, conversations, children’s programs, afternoon tea, a bar, music and more.

Manchester Literature Festival
Location: Manchester
Date: October
The program features readings by regional and international authors and poets, newly commissioned work, and a series of special events including Independents Day, Word on the Street, Manchester Blog Story, Poetry Bed and Spoken Image.

Oundle Festival of Literature
Location: Northamptonshire
Date: March
This festival is filled with an array of fascinating events and the opportunity, as they say, to “consider ideas, develop interests, meet favourite authors, encounter new writers and hear about new books or to participate in writing competitions, book swaps, workshops and open mike sessions ” through “a programme of author events, poetry, philosophy, politics, story telling, biography, illustrators and novelists for young and old.”

Small Wonder
Location: Charleston
Date: September
The UK’s only festival dedicated entirely to the short story, with a two-day creative writing workshop and an array of thought-provoking talks and debates featuring a selection of contemporary writers.

Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival
Location: Oxford
Date: March
More than 200 authors in nearly that many events over six days covers various topics in art, fiction, biography, history, language & literature, poetry, science, travel and current affairs. Additional events include those for children, walking tours, and special food celebrations.

Ways With Words Literature Festivals
Each of the festivals—at Dartington (July), Southwold (November), Cumbria (February-March)—aims to bring people together “in beautiful surroundings to make contact with writers, journalists and experts in various fields, to talk, to argue, to listen, to engage and to learn.”

Wells Festival of Literature
Location: Wells
Date: October
Lectures and talks by authors, poets, journalists, broadcasters and others, readings, literary lunches, children's events, writers’ workshops, and poetry and short story competitions highlight this delightful weeklong festival.