The choice of writers is crucial to the enjoyment of readers of all abilities, as this is not a snooty academic festival but a celebration of books. Authors ranged from Pulitzer Prize-winning Richard Ford to first novelists, crime writers to poets, serious political biographers to storytellers.

Equally crucial is the enjoyment of the writers, who are invited to bring their partners for the long weekend. Writers lead mostly solitary lives and revel in socialising with other writers, contacts with readers – and of course the hospitality donated by generous Franschhoek guest houses.

Choosing the right chairpeople is also important, and we have learnt from this year’s FLF to admire professional interviewers such as Victor Dlamini , Jenny Crwys-Williams, John Maytham, Karabo Kgoleng, Helen Naude and publisher Jeremy Boraine.

Hottest event was the tense debate between controversial David Bullard, cartoonist Zapiro, and playwright and arts activist Mike van Graan, which centred on freedom of speech issues and was very ably chaired by Karabo Kgoleng who kept the arguments free-flowing but within bounds. Other riveting events were the State of the Nation discussion between Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Mark Gevisser, and Heidi Holland speaking about her hot-off-the-press Dinner With Mugabe. Several important novelists made a major impact.

Serious book lovers raved about Richard Ford, who came all the way from Maine with his wife, and raised our awareness of American literature with his thoughtful main event and keen participation in some of the panels. Worcester-born Anne Landsman came from her home in New York to talk about her recently published The Rowing Lesson – a magnificent book which must be in the running for next year’s literary awards.

Damon Galgut’s publisher, Alison Lowry of Penguin, held a quiet launch for his eagerly anticipated new novel The Impostor at a private candlelit dinner. Afrikaans events included an absorbing discussion between major novelists Marlene van Niekerk and Ingrid Winterbach, and literary icon Etienne van Heerden discussing his work with Desmond Painter.

There were debates about crime writing, style, the arts of reviewing, interviewing and translation, writing dialogue, writing from exile, writing about home and family, and the true stories behind the fiction (very popular, that one). Audiences are encouraged to ask questions, which leads to interesting answers and some lively arguments. Many of these events were booked out before the festival started, a tribute to the growing reputation of the FLF.

Having the final stages of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize take place in Franschhoek was a great honour, and a tribute to months of negotiations by FLF Committee member James Woodhouse. We really enjoyed the company of the Commonwealth writers with their different views on our world. Karen King-Aribisala and Sade Adeniram brought a vibrant flavour of Nigeria.

At the closing ceremony in the Franschhoek High School hall, the prestigious Best Book Award for 2008 went to Lawrence Hill of Canada for The Book of Negroes and the Best First Book Award to Bangladeshi Tahmima Anam for The Golden Age, both very worthy winners. MC Soli Philander livened up the formal occasion with his irreverent wit and performance poet Blaq Pearl was the astringent voice of the Cape Flats.

To our great pleasure one of last year’s FLF writers, local poet Rustum Kozain, was also awarded the Olive Schreiner Prize by Dr Barbarba Basel of the English Academy for his collection This Carting Life. And the Commonwealth Foundation donated a whopping cheque for R100 000 to the FLF Library Fund, which is dedicated to getting our valley kids reading by putting new and relevant books into schools where they are most needed. Proceeds from ticket sales and other donations will swell the Fund too.

It is our hope that this Fund, coupled with the formidable efforts of our main sponsor, the Delta Trust, and the Kusasa Project, will result in a reading revolution in this valley which celebrates the French Revolution on Bastille Day. Fringe events are another important feature of the FLF.

The whole of Friday morning was given over to school and prison visits. Three poets performed and gave workshops to Bridge House and Groendal High schools: Gus Ferguson, Gabeba Baderoon and Jitsvinger. A number of writers, journalists and Commonwealth people accompanied Margie Orford to the Groot Drakenstein prison for the unofficial launch of the book written by the offenders in her creative writing classes, Fifteen Men, which is already making waves in the SA media and the Department of Correctional Services. We are proud to be the co-publisher with Jonathan Ball, and pleased that royalties will go to the FLF Library Fund.

At Groendal South Africa’s leading storyteller, children’s writer Gcina Mhlophe, opened the lovely little container children’s library donated by the Exclusive Books Reading Trust. Over 250 children from valley primary schools gathered for the opening, to be shown the hundreds of books awaiting them in the library and enjoy the storytelling and party that followed.

Other events for youngsters included a storytelling in the Church Hall, two performances of the Youth Affair play From the Block, and the Poetry Competition prize-winners event. Playwright Mike van Graan brought his hilarious and hard-hitting Bafana Republic: Extra Time, a follow-on satire from last year’s Bafana Republic, with actor Rea Rangaka. Poet Chris Mann from Grahamstown and his wife Julia Skeen presented Lifelines, a multimedia show based on a new book about animals.

KZN Pianist Chris Duigan gave a series of classical music concerts in the Church Hall and the Vineyard Brasserie, a feast of music to complement the literature. David Walters organised a very successful ceramics exhibition at Roubaix House Gallery, Sgraffito, also celebrating words.

That was FLF 2008. The next FLF is being planned for 15 – 17 May 2009, and seats should be reserved in good time for what is becoming one of SA’s prime book events. Long live!