Each October, Trou d'Eau Douce Beach undergoes a magical transformation into a literary haven during the Trou d'Eau Douce Book Festival. In this third edition, happening from October 13th to 15th, 2023, the spotlight will shine on India. It's a unique opportunity to dive into the richness of contemporary Indian literature, far removed from the typical Bollywood stereotypes.
A literary gathering for Mauritians
Initiated by the globally acclaimed Mauritian writer, Barlen Pyamootoo, this festival edition seeks to broaden perspectives on India through the medium of literature. This year, visitors will have the privilege of meeting a diverse array of authors hailing from India, France, and the Indian Ocean, who will share their literary works and experiences.
Among the invited authors are some prominent names, such as Geetanjali Shree, the recipient of the 2022 International Booker Prize for her novel "Tombs of Sand" (known as "Ret Samadhi" in Hindi). Her novel is the first in Hindi to receive this prestigious literary award. Also, Murugan Perumal, a Tamil writer, will delve into the theme of caste-based violence through his novel "Pyre," which is part of the 2023 International Booker Prize shortlist. Nepali-origin author Prajwal Parajuly, Shoba Narayan, an author and journalist, and Ari Gautier, a French author with roots in India and Madagascar, will also grace the event as featured guests.
Aanchal Malhotra, an artist and historian, will present her work on the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan through her collection of objects from the "Museum of Material Memory," which she co-founded in New Delhi. Tirthankar Chanda, a journalist at Radio France International, will host a special program dedicated to literature.
Three days dedicated to local and Indian culture
The festival will unfold over three days, with distinct highlights on each day.
Friday, October 13th
The festival kicks off with a tribute to Marcel Cabon, a prominent Mauritian literary figure and the author of the novel "Namaste." The former President, Cassam Uteem, will captivate the audience by reading excerpts from the novel, followed by writer Ananda Devi sharing passages from her work "Le Rendez-vous de Lucknow."
Saturday, October 14th
This day is dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage of Mauritian Hindi literature. At noon, Tirtankar Chandra will engage the audience in an exploration of Indian literature, tracing its evolution from the 1980s to the present day. At 1 PM, Shenaz Patel will introduce a collection from the Young Readers/Authors Bureau, which she leads at the IFM.
At 2 PM, the spotlight will turn to Jan Maingard, who will launch his book in Creole. At 3 PM, Shoba Narayan will take the stage for a lecture on "How to write a memoir about your life," offering valuable insights to aspiring writers.
The afternoon will continue with a presentation by author Prajwal Parajuly at 4 PM, and at 5 PM, Geetanjali Shree will take the stage to share her perspective on the literary world with "A story is like a nomad."
As night falls, get ready for the "Night of Reading," scheduled to start at 8 PM.
Sunday, October 15th
The festival's final day will commence with the grand launch of Marcel Cabon's complete works. Following this, at 10 AM, Corinne Fleury from l'Atelier des nomades and Robert Furlong will unveil the complete works of Marcel Cabon. At 1 PM, Ananda Devi will celebrate 50 years of her writing journey. To conclude the festival, the Mo'zar Jazz Band will mesmerize all your senses during the closing concert.
For more information, please visit the Trou d'Eau Douce Book Festival website.
