The City of Cape Town’s libraries have partnered with the Open Book Festival organisers to give budding storytellers, writers and poets an opportunity to see their work in print. The best contributions to the #WritingMyCity project will be printed in an anthology which will be launched at this year’s festival in September.

‘Budding storytellers and writers were asked to submit their stories about Cape Town and creative writing workshops were facilitated at libraries to find the voices. A total of 187 entries were received from librarians and patrons. These included stories and poems in Afrikaans, English, Xhosa and Kaaps,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The project was planned in collaboration with the Open Book Festival, an annual literary event, and the best stories will be included in the Cape Town Library Book to be launched during the festival in September.

‘All the work that will be selected will focus on an aspect of our beautiful city. It has given participants a platform to celebrate and deepen our understanding of who and what makes Cape Town such a wonder. It is also providing an opportunity for writers, young and old, to see their work in print and share their diverse stories,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

The competition has closed and the final selection for the anthology is being made.

The printed anthology will be available through the library network and also available for sale at the Open Book Festival.

‘The city is home to a multitude of different voices and the anthology will give us a glimpse into some of the stories which make up the colourful fabric of Cape Town. Open Book appointed a judging panel to make the final selection of 40 contributions and I am excited to see and read more about our diverse city,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

Source: City Of Cape Town