May Fest: Literary Lingering in the Maldives

In this blog post we will talk about May Fest. Book lovers and beack lovers will want to head to the Malives in May for Soneva Fushi’s CELEBRATION IN THE SAND. The list of speakers for this May 2023 event brings acclaimed authors, celebrated thinkers and cultural leaders from around the world to the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, from May 12-21, 2023. 

Significantly “JLF Soneva Fushi’s remarkable program is an opportunity to reconnect with the pure joy of literature and the arts,” says Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Co-Founder of Soneva. “The exceptional setting of our barefoot island in the Maldives, coupled with our contributors and guests staying with us for at least a weekend makes JLF Soneva Fushi unlike any other literature festival. It’s this greater, intimate access to authors, deeper understanding, new friendships and stronger bonds that make this festival so unique.”

May Fest: You need To Know

Following With 20 world-renowned authors now confirmed, the JLF Soneva Fushi 2023 program is set to cover a spectrum of topics, ranging from: nation-building to the natural world; fiction and filmmaking to hard-hitting journalism; astronomy to geopolitics; mental health to poetry; and scientific discovery to memoir. 

The 2023 line-up includes: 

Man Booker Prize-winning author, Howard Jacobson

Also these Man Booker Prize-winning author, novelist and playwright, Damon Galgut

Man Booker and Whitbread Prize winner, DBC Pierre

Novelist and travel writer, Pico Iyer

Undeniably Professor of astronomy and physics at Yale University, Priyamvada Natarajan

Filmmaker and actor, Shekhar Kapur

Occasionally Chief foreign correspondent for The (London) Sunday Times, Christina Lamb

Award-winning historian and staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, Anne Applebaum

Poet and philanthropist, William Sieghart

Classicist Mary Beard

Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Jaipur Literature Festival and author of 21 books, Namita Gokhale

Nevertheless Polish member of the European Parliament, Radosław (Radek) Sikorski

Author, columnist and former Indian Ambassador to the United States, Navtej Sarna

British historian and best-selling author, Peter Frankopan

Poet and filmmaker, Muzaffar Ali

Author and skincare expert, Sharad P. Paul

Meanwhile Historian and JLF Soneva Fushi Festival Co-Director, William Dalrymple

And member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Indian Prime Minister, Sanjeev Sanyal

Fourthly Held over 10 days and two weekends, JLF Soneva Fushi’s program illuminates South Asia’s vibrant literary legacy and invites guests to take part in stimulating panels and workshops, book and poetry readings, and more. The two weekends are dedicated to keynote addresses, gala dinners on the sand, live music performances and film screenings at the outdoor Cinema Paradiso, with specially curated menus prepared by Soneva Fushi’s award-winning chefs. 

Weekdays At JLF Soneva

Weekdays at JLF Soneva Fushi will focus on more intimate sessions, author discussions and a range of workshops designed to spark creativity and curiosity. Augmenting the JLF program, attendees can participate in morning yoga and meditation sessions; dance workshops; guided snorkelling with Soneva Fushi’s resident “Ocean Guardians”; and glassblowing at Soneva Art & Glass, the Maldives’ first hot glass studio.

Besides Guests may book Soneva’s exclusive Festival Package, including full access to the entire festival program, luxurious private villa accommodations, daily full-board dining and round–trip domestic transfers. Rates start from $6,500 for a three-night stay for two at Soneva Fushi.