Indian Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor, known for his prolific literary career with 25 books to his name, is set to grace the Auckland Writers Festival in New Zealand.
The festival, recognised as the premier literary event in the southern hemisphere, is scheduled to begin on May 14, 2024 and will run until May 19, featuring a diverse lineup of acclaimed writers and voices from around the world.
Lyndsey Fineran, the festival director, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme, highlighting its aim to bring some of the literary world's biggest names to New Zealand while showcasing the creativity of local authors. She described the festival as "a great book shop brought to life", promising attendees an immersive and enriching experience.
Tharoor's literary contributions have garnered him numerous accolades, including the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, a Commonwealth Writers' Prize, and the Crossword Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in the category of 'English Non-Fiction' for his book "An Era of Darkness."
His presence at the Auckland Writers Festival is expected to add a global perspective to the event, enriching the literary discourse and providing attendees with a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's most celebrated authors and intellectuals.
Tharoor, renowned internationally for his literary contributions, will be participating in a discussion titled 'The Year the World Votes' at the Writers Festival, offering insights into the global political landscape.
This is not Tharoor's first visit to Auckland. In 2018, he attended two public-speaking events at the Auckland Writers Festival, where he discussed his books "Why I am a Hindu" and "Inglorious Empires." The Indian Weekender conducted an extensive interview with Shashi Tharoor on his books.
The Auckland Writers Festival serves as a platform for literary enthusiasts to engage with diverse ideas and perspectives, highlighting the universal appeal of literature in bridging cultures and communities.
In addition to Tharoor, the festival will feature talents from across the arts, including Booker Prize winner for 2023, Paul Lynch, actor Sam Neill, musician Troy Kingi, and generations of gifted Maori writers from Patricia Grace to Becky Manawatu.
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