The annual Author In Me (AIM) Literary Festival got underway in London this week with an insightful opening gala at the Institut Francais that marked the launch of their latest title ‘When Mummy Had Cancer’, a children's book by first-time British Indian author Priyanka Pandya.
Themed around “Life, Experiences, and Stories in Between”, this year’s festival runs until October 19 to cover the full spectrum of diverse voices from across the Indian diaspora in the UK.
Lady Kishwar Desai, author and founder of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust, delivered the keynote address around her two Partition Museum projects – the inaugural one in Amritsar and the more recent one which opened in Delhi.
She said: “The way I see it, these museums are about storytelling just like books, with each gallery signifying a chapter of our shared history.
“It all started with a dream to highlight what undivided India went through during Partition and to relay the message that the world must not be divided. We must all come together.”
AIM co-founders Ekta Bajaj and Monica Sood took the audience through their journey of showcasing voices from across the British Indian community, often of authors who need the some added nurturing and support to feel confident that their story deserves an audience.
“We wanted to create a sense of belonging,” said Bajaj, who also joined a panel moderated by broadcaster Anila Dhami entitled ‘Diverse Voices: Shaping Today’s Literary Trends’.
“We chose the theme ‘Life, Experiences, and Stories in Between’ for this year’s festival because we feel life is a collection of moments, both grand and small, and those are the moments that shape who we are,” added Sood.
Over the course of the week, the festival will cover:
· Author Panels and Talks: Engage with published authors and industry experts.
· Masterclasses: Obtain insider knowledge and skills tailored for aspiring writers.
· Live Critiquing Sessions: Gain valuable insights and constructive feedback from
industry leaders and professionals.
· Creative Writing Workshops: Hone your writing skills in hands-on sessions.
· Children’s Activities: Creative fun workshops, book readings and meet greet your
favourite authors at the Roald Dahl Museum.
· Diverse Voices: Experience narratives from diverse cultures celebrating our
collective experiences.
*Info: AIM Literary Festival 2024
