Philippine International Literary Festival now on its 7th year

The Philippine International Literary Festival (PILF) is a landmark project of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) that celebrates literature and promotes best publishing practices through discourse on issues of authorship and readership shaping the local book industry. Since its inception in 2010, the festival has become a major gathering and focal point for authors, illustrators, publishers, and literature lovers in the Philippines and beyond.

The PILF has featured such literary luminaries and publishing experts as Chris Abani, FH Batacan, Butch Dalisay, Robin Hemley, Christopher Cheng, Juliet Grames, Noelle de Jesus, David Parker, Vikas Swarup, Tim Tomlinson, Mia Alvar, Tina Narang, Okky Madasari, National Artists for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and Virgilio S. Almario, and Pulitzer Prize winners Junot Diaz and Edward P. Jones.

For the past six years, the festival has been celebrated as a highlight of the Philippine Book Development Month, which is observed annually in November. For the first time, the festival will be mounted during the celebration of Buwan ng Panitikan (National Literature Month) in April.

Themed Against Forgetting, the 7^th Philippine International Literary Festival underscores the role of creation as an individual’s attempt at breaking silence, as an act of bravery against seeming futility. The festival will feature a plenary session on the theme, a workshop on literary editing, and roundtable discussions on writing, publishing, rights trading, and readership.

This two-day affair will be held on April 28-29, 2016 in QCX Museum, Quezon Memorial Circle. Admission is free for all sessions. However, everyone is encouraged to bring book donations. Since slots are limited, please register online by emailing litfest@nbdb.gov.ph with the subject line “SIGN ME UP FOR THE 7^TH PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL” and the following information:  full name, affiliation, and contact numbers.