The Philippine International Literary Festival (PILF), a landmark project of the National Book Development Board, has become a highlight of Philippine Book Development Month observed annually in November. The festival is NBDB’s way of celebrating literature and promoting best publishing practices through discourse on the issues of authorship and readership shaping the local book industry.
Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has been a major gathering for authors, illustrators, publishers, and literature lovers around the Philippines and beyond. In the past years, the Festival has featured such literary luminaries and publishing experts as Chris Abani, FH Batacan, Robin Hemley, Christopher Cheng, Juliet Grames, Noelle de Jesus, David Parker, Vikas Swarup, Tim Tomlinson, National Artists for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and Virgilio S. Almario, and Pulitzer Prize winners Junot Diaz and Edward P. Jones.
This year’s Philippine International Literary Festival is titled LALÁNG (likhâ): Writing in Place. Creating Your Place. How relevant is place in the creation and appreciation of literature? Does literature have to be reflective of geography? If a place can shape text/literature, can text/literature shape a place? This year the NBDB will bring the festival to Davao City, one of the country’s top historic, artistic, cultural destinations in order to engage lovers of literature from all parts of the archipelago in a series of discussions on Philippine literature and interactions with literary greats.
For the first time, NBDB will mount the Festival in Davao City, bringing together writers, illustrators, and publishing experts from various regions in the Philippines. The 6th Philippine International Literary Festival (PILF) also highlights the homecoming of several acclaimed Filipino writers including Mia Alvar. The Festival activities will include a plenary session and intimate conversation on Writing in Place with our guest authors. This event also brings regional literature to the fore, encourages the integration of diverse literature in all learning environments, and provides a venue for intimate discussion with literary idols. Festivalgoers will be able to attend talks on issues facing Philippine literature today: readership, language, and the publishing challenges faced by authors from the regions. Other activities will include artistic performances, literary exhibits, and a book fair.
This two-day affair will be held on November 20-21, 2015. Registration per day for the general public events is P100 for students and teachers, P300 for other professionals, including lunch and a festival kit. For online registration, please email litfest@nbdb.gov.ph with the subject line “SIGN ME UP FOR THE 6TH PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL” and the following information: full name, affiliation, and contact numbers.
Details of the program will be available soon.
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Facebook: /6thPILF
