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From Bangkok Post 

Neilson Hays Library celebrates its 150th anniversary with Bangkok's first literature festival

Celebrated local and international authors will be in Bangkok for a series of talks, panel discussions and poetry readings as part of the Neilson Hays Bangkok Literature Festival, held to mark the 150th anniversary of Neilson Hays Library on Nov 16 and 17.

Bookworms, bibliophiles and anyone else who's interested are all invited to rub shoulders with their favourite fiction and non-fiction writers as the historic library on Surawong Road, in collaboration with the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), stages Bangkok's first literature festival. The two-day event will take place at the library and nearby British Club, with special evening events also being held at Chulalongkorn University and Chakrabongse Villas.

Nalin Vanasin, president of Neilson Hays Library, says the purpose of the festival isn't just to mark the landmark anniversary, but also to celebrate the power of books and letters, which have been the library's heritage from its beginning.

“The library has just gone through a major renovation. Instead of having a special book sale or holding a party like we normally do, we thought it would be a good time for Bangkok to have an international literature festival of its own," said Nalin. "We hope to create a stage for participating literary luminaries to exchange knowledge and share their experiences, as well as showcase Thai creative arts for an international audience."

Over the two days of the festival, Neilsons Hays Library will be transformed into a book lover's dream. Over 30 of the world's finest writers, from eight countries, will be in attendance to help spread the joys of the written word.

Under the theme "Bridging The World Through Letters", the festival aims to ignite imaginations, spark debate and share views on various topics from politics and social inequality to gender equality and LGBTI rights.

Among the esteemed guests will be the Pulitzer Prize-winning US author Adam Johnson, best known for his novel The Orphan Master's Son, and Australian writer Melissa Lucashenko, winner of this year's Miles Franklin Award, the country's most prestigious literary prize.

From Asia, there will be P. Sivakami, a prominent feminist Dalit writer from India; Chinese-American Qiu Xiaolong, author of the award-winning crime mystery Death Of A Red Heroine; Thailand's Veeraporn Nitiprapha, a 2018 SEA Write winner for The Blind Earthworm In The Labyrinth; and Japan's Kanako Nishi, whose novel Saraba! won the prestigious Naoki Prize.

Alongside the programme of debates, interviews and workshops, the festival will feature entertainment activities for families and young readers, such as an arts and crafts market and workshops.

• Neilson Hays Bangkok Literature Festival will run from Nov 16-17 at Neilson Hays Library, The British Club Stage, Chulalongkorn University and Chakrabongse Villas, including an intimate dinner and conversation with Pitchaya Sudbanthad, author of Bangkok Wakes To Rain.
• Entry is free for most events, with tickets available for day passes (for guaranteed seating), film screenings and the closing event at the Chakrabongse Villas. For more information, including schedules and speaker topics, visit web.neilsonhayslibrary.com/literature-festival. I 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1789809/book-your-place