The Fish Hoek Library Literary Festival this past weekend, with the theme Every Language holds a story, brought together authors, readers, storytellers, publishers and community organisations in a celebration of literature and language. 

The festival created opportunities for residents to connect through stories and creative writing.
 
Authors and literary voices, including Professor Jonathan Jansen, Zubayr Charles, Shana Fife, Mia Arderne and other local writers participated, as well as several publishers, literacy and community organisations, including Read to Rise, Origami for Africa, Cape Town Silent Book Club and Restoring Hope; the Friends of Fish Hoek Library and other City colleagues and departments.
 
Activities throughout the weekend included a creative writing workshop, a mindfulness and journaling session facilitated by Dale Hendricks of Restoring Hope, opportunities for young people to share their writing, ideas and personal reflections, author conversations and panel discussions, creative workshops, an exhibition space, children's storytelling and literacy activities, a poetry session and junior writing competition prize giving.

Also part of the festival were Dr Glen Thompson, recognised historian, surf scholar and poet, and literary facilitator Sarah Prince. 
 
‘The festival succeeded in its goals and that was to get children and role players excited about stories and literature. Our communities are filled with stories: stories told by grandparents, stories carried through language, stories of migration, identity, resilience, joy and everyday life. These stories form part of our collective heritage, and public libraries have an important role to play in ensuring they are heard, valued and preserved. We are especially proud that this festival creates opportunities for young people to recognise the value of their own voices. Through our Junior Writing Competition, we have encouraged children to write creatively, including in their mother tongues, and to see themselves as storytellers,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

The Junior Writing Competition was open to young writers aged 9 to 13.
 
There was no single winner, but every participant was celebrated and recognised.
 
The library hopes to make the festival a recurring celebration on the community calendar, with opportunities to expand participation, strengthen partnerships and continue creating space for local literary voices.