The 2023 Franschhoek Literary Festival dates announced alongside a new Patron membership for literary lovers
The charming village of Franschhoek will again be transformed into a literary hub from Friday 19th – Sunday 21st May 2023, when the Franschhoek Literary Festival celebrates its 16th year since inception.
Running for three days, a content-rich programme packed with informal discussions, lively debates, insightful conversations and inspired talks will bring together a cross-section of South African and international authors.
Now, Festival-goers have even more time and space to fully embrace the spirit of the weekend. The Franschhoek Literary Festival is excited to announce a new Patron package that has been added to the Membership Programme.
Patron members are eligible for a Gold Pass, giving them free access to all sessions, subject to availability. The programme is also sent to them two days before bookings open to patrons and members – which means that they have additional time to consider the programme carefully and build a unique Festival experience suited to their own interests. A Concierge Service removes all the fuss out of ticket arrangements, and Members’ names are also added to the Patron board on the FLF website.
The 2023 Membership offers its members priority booking one week before bookings open to the public. Members, who receive a 15% discount on all Festival events, also have free access to all recorded sessions and are automatically entered into the annual lucky draw.
“The popularity of the Festival means that sessions are booked out quickly – especially the key sessions,” explains Festival Director Elitha van der Sandt. “So it’s a huge benefit for Patrons and Members to be able to book in advance.”
Patrons will receive the programme on 8th March 2023, advanced booking for Members open on 10th March 2023, while public bookings open on 17th March 2023.
“We’ve also introduced Membership Programme Gift Vouchers,” says van der Sandt, “because the exciting rewards make it an ideal birthday or special occasion gift for lovers of literature.”
Importantly, supporting the Membership Programme also makes a significant contribution to the Franschhoek Literary Festival CSI initiative, Franschhoek Reading initiative.
It enables us to fund and maintain the FLF school libraries at four primary schools in the Franschhoek Valley and expand our school libraries project to high schools,” explains van der Sandt.
To date, the Franschhoek Reading programme has donated over R1.7 million and put more than 7 500 books into local primary schools, established regular weekly library lessons for 65 classes, and continues to positively influence the reading experience of at least 3 000 learners each year.
The Membership Programme also assists in providing a platform for new voices, attracting new audiences and curating a more culturally diverse literary experience and enables the Festival to celebrate and host some of the greatest contemporary authors and thought leaders from South Africa, Africa and the world.
The festival thanks FLF 2023 partner Franschhoek Wine Valley, FLF founding sponsor Porcupine Ridge, official FLF bookstore Exclusive Books, as well as sponsors News24, Yellowwoods Social Investments, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Ninety One SA, NB Publishers, PanMacmillan, Pam Golding Properties, Le Quartier Français and Sterrekopje.