Teamwork Arts, producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), and the annual JLF USA, that brings the infectious energy of the mother festival and South Asia’s literary treasure trove to the US while imbuing it with the cultural flavors of the host regions, has announced a list of speakers for its debut edition at North Carolina. JLF North Carolina is set to take place on 27 – 28 September 2024 at the Research Triangle.
The festival will be hosted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, promising a celebration of literature, the arts, and culture.
The Research Triangle, encompassing Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham, is renowned for its world-class universities, thriving tech industries, and award-winning arts, culture, and food scene. JLF North Carolina aims to reflect and contribute to the region’s booming innovation and creativity. The event is supported by Carolina Performing Arts, UNC Modern Indian Studies Initiative, Carolina Asia Center, UNC Global, UNC Institute of Arts and Humanities, and additional public and private partners across the state.
A diverse group of speakers is set to engage audiences with their insights. The list of speakers for JLF North Carolina include Jhumpa Lahiri, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for her explorations of identity; Shashi Tharoor, a third-term Member of Parliament for Thiruvananthapuram, bestselling author of twenty-five books, and a former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations; Navtej Sarna, an author and diplomat whose literary works span fiction and non-fiction, capturing the rich tapestry of Indian history and culture; Robert D Newman, president and director of the National Humanities Center and Dean Emeritus at the University of Utah, acclaimed author of six books; Suketu Mehta, associate professor of Journalism at New York University, author of Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found, and Pulitzer Prize finalist; Cheetie Kumar, chef at Ajja in Raleigh, James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist, and member of World Central Kitchen’s Chef Corps; Kanan Gill, renowned comedian and writer of Acts of God, celebrated for his wit and insightful social commentary; Rishi Jaitly, co-founder and CEO of Times Bridge, significant contributor to global media partnerships and digital innovation; Sayantani Dasgupta, Kolkata-born author of Brown Women Have Everything: Essays on (Dis)comfort and Delight and an associate professor of Creative Writing at UNC Wilmington; and Thomas Hofweber, distinguished philosopher and professor with deep expertise in metaphysics and the philosophy of language as well as director of the AI Project at UNC.
JLF North Carolina recognizes the invaluable support of its partners. Carolina Performing Arts, the leading multi-arts presenter and producer in the American Southeast, sparks curiosity and inspires community members through world-class performances and campus partnerships.
The Modern Indian Studies Initiative at UNC-Chapel Hill enhances the understanding of contemporary India through diverse research initiatives and educational resources, deepening awareness of India’s dynamic present and future.Â
The Carolina Asia Center, founded in 2002, advances the university’s global initiatives by deepening understanding and fostering relationships with Asia. The Institute for the Arts and Humanities supports interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of top-tier faculty, affirming the essential role of the arts and humanities in academic and global life.Â
UNC Global shapes and implements the university’s global strategy, supporting global activity across campus. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a worldwide higher education leader addressing the greatest challenges of our time through innovative teaching, research, and public service.
JLF North Carolina promises to be a landmark occasion, highlighting the vibrant cultural fabric of North Carolina through two days of stimulating conversations, thought-provoking discussions, and a celebration of the literary arts.
For more information, visit JLF North Carolina: https://jlflitfest.org/north-carolinaÂ
