Karina Festival

Fourth Karavan Press Literary Festival at SASNEV

The fourth Karavan Press Literary Festival took place at SASNEV last Saturday – and it was a day of literary wonder, laughter and engagement. Thank you to the wonderful people at SASNEV – especially Eureka Barnard, Jan Mutton and Brian Brady – for hosting and making us feel so welcome. Thank you to Gail Gilbride, Diane Awerbuck, Lisa Tredoux, Nick Clelland, Lester Walbrugh, Sarah Isaacs, Anna Stroud, John Maytham, Stephen Symons, Alex Latimer and Amy Heydenrych for your contributions to inspiring panels. A special thank you to Amy & Qarnita Loxton for running a great workshop. Mountains and valleys of gratitude to Penny Haw for delivering a deeply moving André Brink Memorial Lecture – not many eyes were dry at the end. Huge thank you to the Brink Family for being with us on the day! Thank you to the SASNEV resident cat for filling in for Salieri, who was at home preparing to catssist with the workshop. And thank you to all Readers who attended to celebrate authors, books and legacies with us! What a day!

I want to express my gratitude to Amy and Anna for joining us all the way from Joburg, and to Sarah for sharing the best news of the entire gathering with us.

Thank you to all who bought a book! Happy reading & writing, Everyone!

Karina Festival

Karavan Press Literary Festival 2025

We are delighted to announce that the fourth KARAVAN PRESS LITERARY FESTIVAL is going to take place on Saturday, 12 April 2025, at the wonderful South African Centre for the Netherlands and Flanders – SASNEV – 4 Central Square, Pinelands, Cape Town, 7405. Thank you to Eureka Barnard and the Staff of SASNEV for hosting us!

As part of the festival, Penny Haw, winner of the 2024 Philida Literary Award, will deliver the André Brink Memorial Lecture – 6 February 2025 was the 10th anniversary of André’s death, and on 29 May 2025, he would have turned 90. We will remember and celebrate together!

Also as part of the festival, Qarnita Loxton and Amy Heydenrych are offering a Creative Writing Workshop. For all details, please see below.

EVENT 1 09:30-10:15  LIFE AND LAUGHTER

Diane Awerbuck, Lisa Tredoux and Gail Gilbride speak to Nick Clelland about how to use humour in literature across the genres to address important themes that are not necessarily always funny.

EVENT 2 10:30-11:15  FINDING ONESELF

Sarah Isaacs, Anna Stroud, Kharys Ateh Laue and Lester Walbrugh talk to John Maytham about their young characters’ search for who they are and how they want to be in the world when the world is unwilling to cooperate.

COFFEE / TEA BREAK

EVENT 3 12:00-12:45  SECOND CHANCES

“Sometimes the only thing you can do to change is to leave.” (Qarnita Loxton)

Amy Heydenrych, Stephen Symons & Alex Latimer talk to Karina M. Szczurek about their characters’ opportunities for change.

EVENT 4 13:00-13:45 

ANDRÉ BRINK MEMORIAL LECTURE

“Influences and Legacies” – PENNY HAW, winner of the 2024 Philida Literary Award

FREE ENTRY TO ALL EVENTS AT SASNEV!

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WORKSHOP 15:30-17:30

6 Banksia Road, Rosebank, 7700 Cape Town

(Please note change of venue for the workshop!)

OPENING THE DOOR TO YOUR STORY 

Join authors and collaborators – QARNITA LOXTON and AMY HEYDENRYCH – for an intimate, nurturing creative writing workshop. Get to the heart of your story, uncover the theme of your writing project and work through any potential blocks to your creative writing process in a quiet, encouraging setting.

Snacks and drinks will be served.

The workshop is open to writers of all levels, including beginners. Only 10 spots available. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

To book your spot for the workshop, please contact Karina: karavanpressfestival@outlook.com

WORKSHOP FEE R300

Books will be available for sale at great prices throughout the festival!