Literary stalwarts gather for a lit fest curtain raiser in Delhi

Winter soirées in the city are all about conversations, mulled wine and winter fare. All this became more interesting for guests as they had Shashi Tharoor chatting with them at a dinner held at his residence as a curtain raiser for Kerala Literature Festival. Renowned authors, noted names from the world of literature and diplomats graced the event where France was announced as the guest nation for the fest.

‘Kerala is a hospitable place for literature’
Tharoor shared that he has been a patron of the literature festival, that is held in Kozhikode, for many years now. “I have been a patron of this festival from its inception and I have been a speaker at each of the editions. Last year, we had Turkey as the guest nation, this year it is France,” he said. Speaking about Kerala, Tharoor added, “Kozhikode is a deeply cultured place. It’s also the city where Vasco Da Gama landed in the 1490s. All of you are welcome to come and see what Kerala has to offer. Kerala is a hospitable place for literature. We are full of highly literate people who like to read. I think you will have a very special time if you come.”

‘Shashi Tharoor creates bridges between cultures’
Also in attendance at the event was the French ambassador Thierry Mathou. “It’s great pride that France has been chosen as the guest nation. Each time Shashi Tharoor and I meet, we don’t speak in English, we speak in French and it’s quite a privilege for me as it is not on many occasions that I get to speak French in this country. For us Shashi is not only an eminent MP, but also an intellectual, author, diplomat. He’s also an ambassador who creates bridges between cultures,” he said.