If you’ve got nothing to do during the first weekend of November, might we suggest taking a short flight — or going on a classic road trip — to Mandalay? Why? Well, in addition to being able to scarf down bowls of authentic Mandalay meeshay, from November 3 to 5, the city will be home to the annual Irrawaddy Literary Festival, now in its fourth year.
Over 100 Myanmar and foreign writers and literary experts have already been confirmed so far to make an appearance. Big names include Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler, Man Booker-shortlisted Madeline Thien, and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
Both English to Myanmar and Myanmar to English translations will be provided at the various talks held throughout the three days.
If you’re more of an informal chit-chat person, there will be a ‘Speakers’ Corner’ and a ‘Poets’ Corner’ where attendees can casually mingle and chat about all things literature. Festival organizers are also planning on hosting a literary forum within a ‘traditional Burmese teahouse’ that will be created on the hotel grounds.
As in previous years, the event will take place at the Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel. All three days are completely free of charge.
To be informed of any updates, register your interest on the Irrawaddy Literary Festival’s official site. After all, the event is still a few months away, so who knows which other writers will be added to the program between now and then?
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