International poets congregate for Spier festival

As curator of the poetry festival, Breytenbach has selected a mix of eminent global voices whose lives and work embody fiery critique and fearless witness of societies as varied as Morocco, Chad and China. The line-up includes: Homero Aridjis - the Mexican poet, novelist, environmental activist and diplomat; Chinese writer Duo Duo, one of the celebrated Misty poets; the young Russian-American star Ilya Kaminsky; and Nimrod from Chad. Local luminaries participating include Ingrid de Kok, Henning Pieterse and Mxolisi Nyezwa.

All events will be ticketed. The afternoon conversations will be free of charge, and the evening performances will cost R190 per night (includes canapés and a complimentary glass of Spier wine). For more information phone +27 (0)21 809 1100 or go to www.spierpoetryfestival.co.za For bookings, go to www.quicket.co.za.

The programme

The programme includes two poetry readings and a series of moderated conversations, with translation as the underlying theme. The daytime conversation series is entitled How to Seduce an Angel. Attendance is free of charge, but with strictly limited audience capacity, booking is essential.

Friday, 9 May. 2pm to 3.30pm.

Conversation I

Frakaans, Françiques, Arabique: French as voyeur into Arabic, Afrikaans and Wolof. Participating poets are Abdellatif Laâbi from Morocco, Nimrod from Chad and Jabir and Diamil from the Senegalase rap collective Vendredi Slam. The conversation will be moderated by Georges Lory, former director of the Alliance Française in South Africa and acclaimed translator of Gordimer, Krog and Breytenbach.

4pm to 5.30pm.

Conversation II

"Seven years after his death, I saw Celan in his house slippers dancing alone in his bedroom, humming step over step." In which language did Ilya see Paul Celan dancing? An in-depth discussion on poetry, butterflies and dancing between Homero Aridjis from Mexico, Ilya Kaminsky, originally from Odessa in the Ukraine, now from the USA, and Henning Pieterse from Pretoria.

The conversation will be mediated by Dominique Botha.

7pm

Poetry Reading I

Readings by all festival poets: Abdellatif Laâbi, Breyten Breytenbach, Duo Duo, Hans van de Waarsenburg,Henning Pieterse, Homero Aridjis, Ilya Kaminsky, Ingrid de Kok, Mxolisi Nyezwa, Nimrod and Jabir & Diamil of Vendredi Slam. Musical Director: Neo Muyanga.

Cost: R190 per person, includes canapés and a glass of wine.

Saturday, 10 May

11am to 12.30pm (Protea Bookshop, Crozier/Andringa Street, Stellenbosch)

Conversation III

Imagine Africa

Shaped around the book launch of Imagine Africa 2, Breyten Breytenbach will discuss the curation of the work and how all poetry and prose is a translation from the non-verbal into the imagination via words. Breytenbach will be in conversation with contributors Hans van de Waarsenburg from Holland, Georges Lory, Abdellatif Laâbi and South African poet Louis Esterhuizen.

2pm to 3.30pm

Conversation IV

Breath as vehicle of Consciousness, Breath as encapsulation of Memory, Breath as aspiration of change: Protest and Poetry.

Chinese poet Duo Duo will be in conversation with composer Neo Muyanga, and South African poets Ingrid de Kok and Mxolisi Nyezwa.

4pm to 5.30pm

Conversation V

Let's get serious

An interactive wine blending and tasting workshop with winemakers and poets. Age requirement: 18.

7pm

Poetry Reading II

Readings by all festival poets: Abdellatif Laâbi, Breyten Breytenbach, Duo Duo, Hans van de Waarsenburg, Henning Pieterse, Homero Aridjis, Ilya Kaminsky, Ingrid de Kok, Mxolisi Nyezwa, Nimrod and Jabir & Diamil of Vendredi Slam. Musical Director: Neo Muyanga.

Cost: R190 per person; includes canapés and a glass of wine.