Samir Shukla
The Jaipur Literature Festival, held annually in Rajasthan, India, will hold a satellite festival in NC. The JLF North Carolina is set to debut on September 27 – 28, 2024. This edition marks the expansion of the acclaimed festival, renowned globally for its celebration of words and ideas.
The festival is renowned for its spirit of inclusiveness and camaraderie, bringing to life South Asia’s unique multilingual literary heritage and its shared narrative with the rest of the world, blending it with the literary flavors of the host regions. JLF USA is known for its intellectually charged atmosphere with sessions, talks and performances.
JLF NC will make its debut in North Carolina at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh. The Research Triangle (Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham) is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The fest is supported by Carolina Performing Arts, UNC Modern Indian Studies Initiative, Carolina Asia Center, UNC Global, UNC Institute of Arts and Humanities and additional partners across the state.
According to JLF, “Founded in 2006 in Jaipur, India, the festival has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, with satellite festivals across the globe. Every year, JLF brings together a diverse mix of the world’s leading writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business, sports and entertainment moguls on one stage “to champion the freedom to express and engage in thoughtful debate and dialogue.” Its digital version during the pandemic reached over 4.8 million views in the first season and grew to more than 25 million views in 2021. The US satellite cities currently include Boulder, CO, New York, NY, Houston, TX and in 2024 JLF USA will add Seattle, WA and North Carolina.”
Here are comments from some of JLF North Carolina organizers:
Sejal Mehta, a Raleigh-based attorney and one of the organizers, said, “I’m very excited about bringing the Jaipur Literature Festival to North Carolina because it will change the cultural landscape of the Triangle and the state by bringing world-class writers, artists, painters, culinary experts, and thought leaders. As someone who is passionate about the arts and sits on a number of regional, state, and local arts boards, I’ve always thought the Triangle would be a great place to host JLF. As it turns out, Sanjoy Roy (one of the founders of JLF) had also approached UNC-Chapel Hill about it. I’m familiar with JLF because my brother Suketu Mehta has participated in JLF for a number of years.”
Suketu Mehta is the author of the book Maximum City, Bombay Lost and Found and will be among the speakers at JLF North Carolina.
“While Indian writers and artists make up part of the JLF agenda, the festival ultimately is a world-class festival because it attracts non-Indian writers and artists. The NC festival starts on Friday night with keynote from Pulitzer Prize winner writer Jhumpa Lahiri, then moves to unveiling the artwork of Natwar Bhavsar, a contemporary Indian American artist who lives in Soho and has been painting since the 1960s and whose art has displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and concludes with a reception at the North Carolina Art Museum. On Saturday, there will be five panels including a panel by Shashi Tharoor and a panel with Suketu Mehta,” Sejal Mehta further explained.
The festival will take place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, located in the Research Triangle, which consists of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham.
According to the organizers, “We will bring JLF to our community here in The Triangle with the goal of building a new annual tradition both for JLF USA and for our local community. The pilot festival is co-organized by Carolina Performing Arts, the UNC Modern Indian Studies Initiative, and the UNC Carolina Asia Center, with associate partners including the UNC Institute for Arts and Humanities, the UNC Creative Writing program, UNC Press, and additional partners in Raleigh, including North Carolina Museum of Art. Events will be ticketed and take place primarily on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, with an opening event at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, as well as outreach creative writing workshops at public high schools and middle schools in The Triangle that we will identify in partnership with Carolina K-12.”
“We’re already seeing a broad amount of support for the festival, including South Arts, North Carolina Arts Council, Wake County United Arts, a law firm, investment managers, and many Indian American community leaders,” Mehta added.
Alison Friedman of Carolina Performing Arts: “North Carolina’s relationship with India is crucial to our state’s growth and prosperity. More than 440,000 Asian Americans live in North Carolina, with Indian Americans making up the largest ethnic group, much of that population centered around the Research Triangle. Greater understanding between India and the United States is important to building a prosperous and inclusive future for our state.
We need to ensure young people, our future leaders, are engaged in global conversations and exchanges of ideas and cultures. It therefore is fitting for the main day of the festival to be hosted at UNC Chapel Hill, the oldest public university in the United States and one of the country’s leading global public research universities.
Jaipur Literature Festival-North Carolina takes Indian authors as its starting point and brings a larger conversation about words, ideas, culture, and creativity to our campus. I’m excited about the breadth of authors and thinkers in our inaugural festival – standup comedy, science fiction, food, politics, diplomacy, gender, public health, AI and digital humanities, music, dance, visual art…. We are packing a lot in just a day and a half!”
Q & A with Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts:
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you co-founded the Jaipur Literature Festival.
The Jaipur Literature Festival’s inception dates back to 2001 when John and Faith Singh from Anokhi visited the Edinburgh Festival to explore how the arts created value for built heritage. They went on to establish the Jaipur Viraasat Heritage Festival, where authors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple curated a literature silo. When that festival ran into difficulties Faith asked us to consider taking it over. Namita, William and us at Teamwork Arts decided that we would look at taking forward the literature program and set up the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2008. The festival swiftly burgeoned, evolving into one of the globe’s foremost literary gatherings. Its genesis lay in the aspiration to bring together the best of thinkers, speakers, and writers from across the world, fostering dialogue, debate, and cultural interchange. The main idea behind the festival is to celebrate the power of words and ideas. Jaipur, known for its rich culture, literary heritage, and diverse history, was chosen as the festival’s venue. Across the years, the festival has transformed into a quintessential forum for propelling discourse and nurturing imaginative expression, rendering it as the premier hub for authors, thinkers, intellectuals and opinion makers worldwide. In 2024, the festival completed 17 years and featured more than 550 speakers from across the globe, and a range of enriching sessions and incredible performances, and a diverse audience.
How did the North Carolina festival come about? How was NC selected?
The idea for the North Carolina festival emerged from our desire to expand the reach of the JLF USA and bring its unique blend of literary discussions and cultural celebrations to a new audience. We have been hosting JLF International in USA for a long time having editions in Colorado, Houston and New York. In 2024 we launched two new editions in Seattle and North Carolina. North Carolina was selected as its the research triangle and for its vibrant university and innovation community, and the enthusiasm of local partners and supporters who were eager to host the festival. The state’s commitment to education and the arts made it an ideal location for a festival that aims to inspire and engage people of all ages.
What is your role in picking and organizing the satellite festivals?
As the producers of JLF USA, Teamwork Arts is responsible for the comprehensive planning and execution of the festivals. Our role encompasses the selection of host cities, which involves identifying locations that align with our vision of cultural and literary celebration. We collaborate closely with local partners to ensure that each festival resonates with the community and maintains the high standards and unique spirit of the original Jaipur Literature Festival.
Our team curates a diverse and engaging program that includes a mix of local and international authors, performances, and interactive sessions. We also handle all logistical aspects, from venue selection to event management, ensuring a seamless experience for participants and attendees. Additionally, our efforts extend to promoting the festivals both locally and globally, drawing in audiences and fostering an atmosphere of cultural exchange and literary dialogue.
How do the satellite festivals differ from the main Jaipur Festival?
While all JLF International Festivals share the core values and ethos of the Jaipur Festival, each city specific festival is tailored to reflect the cultural and literary landscape of the host city. This means that while attendees can expect the same type of discussions, performances, and community engagement, the content and themes may vary to resonate with local audiences. Additionally, these festivals often feature local authors, artists, and cultural elements, providing a distinct flavor that sets each festival apart.
Is there anything that will be unique or exclusive at the North Carolina festival?
The North Carolina festival will feature several unique elements that highlight the state’s rich cultural heritage and literary traditions. Attendees can look forward to exclusive sessions with renowned local and international authors, special performances that celebrate North Carolina’s artistic legacy, and interactive workshops designed to engage and inspire participants. Additionally, the festival will include discussions on topics relevant to the local community, providing a platform for important conversations and new perspectives.
What other cities has the festival been held in?
JLF International Festivals have been held in various cities around the world, including London, Valladolid in Spain, Toronto, Adelaide in Australia, Doha, and in the Maldives. JLF USA has editions in New York, Houston, Colorado and Seattle. Each festival brings the unique charm of the Jaipur Literature Festival to new audiences, creating a global literary movement that celebrates diversity and creativity.
Is there a plan to make this an annual event in NC?
The North Carolina festival was launched to make it an annual event, given the enthusiasm and support from the local community. Our aim is to establish a long-term presence in the state with programs in Raleigh and UNC Chapel Hill, fostering a tradition of literary celebration and cultural exchange that can grow and evolve over the years. We look forward to collaborating with our partners and audiences to make this vision a reality.
For full details on the festival, visit: jlflitfest.org/north-carolina
Tickets: carolinaperformingarts.org/events/jaipur-literature-festival-usa
