NOTE: Attendance at all events is free of charge. Seating is limited in all venues; punctual arrival is necessary to avoid disappointment. Writers’ books are currently available at the Book Den and will also be available for purchase at the festival—cash and swipe facilities will be available. There will be ample opportunities for festival attendants to have their books signed at the end of each conversation.
THE STILLNESS
A week-long exhibition about silence, solitude, and the gifts afforded by space and time featuring work from Katherine Hunter and Amine Serhane.
Time: all day • Venue: Goethe-Institut’s auditorium • Admission: free • no ticket necessary
ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP, PART II: THE JOY OF THE CONSCIENCE AND THE AMBASSADOR OF MINDS
الخط لسان اليد، وبهجة الضمير، وسفير العقول، وسلاح الفكر
“Calligraphy is the tongue of the hand, the joy of the conscience, the ambassador of minds, and the weapon of thought.”
Focusing on the use of colour and texture in Arabic calligraphy, Amine Serhane leads the second of three workshops.
Time: 14h30–16h00 • Venue: Bellhaus Atelier & Galerie • Admission: free • reservation is necessary • art supplies will be provided • no prior calligraphic skill required • Capacity: 25 • Booking form: link
ANALOGUE ACOUSTICS, PART II: LOVE IS APPROACHING
Le Roux van Schalkwyk spins sweet, pastoral, and cosmic sounds about love and longing inspired by John Muafangejo’s “Love Is Approaching” print.
Time: 17h00 • Venue: Goethe-Institut’s entrance foyer • Admission: free • no ticket necessary
THESE HANDS ARE RATED “E” FOR EFFORT: THE MAKING OF THE 2026 DOEK LITERARY FESTIVAL
Katherine Hunter, Joyce Hwang, Rémy Ngamije, Amine Serhane, and Tanya Stroh talk sketches, swatches, scrapes, scratches, and the analogue processes behind their respective artistic practices and the production of this year’s literary festival with Xavierie Mbangtang.
Time: 18h00 • Venue: Goethe-Institut’s auditorium • Admission: free • no ticket necessary
SILENCE AND SOLACE ARE NOT THE SAME THING
Samuel Mayinoti unweaves the differences between silence and its false promises for solace with Abdi Latif Dahir, Nathalie Handal, Michael Kelleher, Bongani Kona, and Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu.
Time: 19h00 • Venue: Goethe-Institut’s auditorium • Admission: free • no ticket necessary
ACTION, INACTION, CONSEQUENCE, AND COMMISERATION
Femi Kayode, Polo Moji, Frankie Murrey, Gregory Pardlo, and Devon Walker-Figueroa entangle themselves in destinies and fates of their readings, writings, and research with Clarise Reichely.
Time: 20h00 • Venue: Goethe-Institut’s auditorium • Admission: free • no ticket necessary
POETRY READINGS, PART II, THE SOUL AND ITS SPEEDING CURRENTS
The soul finds itself adrift in a sea of feeling and fellowship with poetry readings from Justin Boening, Jedidja Kakuva, Michael Kelleher, Buhlebenkosi Ndhlovu, Gregory Pardlo, and Jeremy Tiboth.
Time: 21h00 • Venue: Goethe-Institut’s auditorium • Admission: free • no ticket necessary
