This tiny piece of the internet will be the place where I archive my experience of curating an event for the Edinburgh International Book Festival... whaaaaaT?..... YES! One of the largest literary festivals in the world? YES. In Scotland? YES. Where I met Ben Okri, and other renowned writers? YES. Me? Yes, yes, yes! Saying that this was a dream come true would not be accurate because I did not dream this for myself. This was something I did not think someone like me was permitted to dream about... because unlike Blue Ivy Carter I've seen several ceilings in my life. So, the fact that it happened is still overwhelmingly surreal, and I am deeply grateful.
This blogpost has a disgusting amount of links, because I have documented my time in the UK and at the EIBF in multiple ways... so instead of me regurgitating everything here, I am going to send you on your merry way to other corners of the internet.
Start by reading my blog about the first "In Light of What We Write" that took place in February in Cape Town here: https://leekaoma.wixsite.com/lindakaoma/articles/reflecting-on-in-light-of-what-we-write
Below is an image that proves that we were actually on the programme (how dare you ask for proof!):
You can also look at the programme here: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/in-light-of-what-we-write
I wrote a blogpost about it for the British Council Literature blog here: https://literature.britishcouncil.org/blog/2018/in-light-of-what-we-write/
Here is a lovely podcast featuring the ILOWWW writers and I (this is a must listen peeps - the cadence of all of our voices makes for a pleasurable listening experience, plus we say some relatively intelligent things. Whenever I listen to it, I cannot help but shimmy my shoulders in pride: https://literature.britishcouncil.org/blog/2018/podcast-edinburgh-international-book-festival/
Watch my collaborative performance with the Scottish Poet, Iona Lee, here: https://www.facebook.com/ZAConnect/videos/2123347891035904/
Watch my vlog (a blog captured in video format - you're welcome) about my time in the UK here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l20JDLeyYVY&t=2s
And finally some photos, all taken by the lovely Kat Gollok:
