From humble beginnings in 2007, the Festival has grown with the needs of the international community it serves, showcasing ever more Chinese, international and local authors, writers and performers.

2011
We launched BLF 2011 with a star-studded Prologue event, featuring David Sedaris and Dave Eggers. Our writers came from around the globe for two weeks of non-stop events featuring Peter Hessler, Leslie Chang, Bi Feiyu, Yan Lianke, Fergal Keane, Paolo Giordano, Guillermo Martinez, Christos Tsiolkas, Emma Donoghue, Michel Faber, Omar Musa, Sheng Keyi, Zhang Yueran, Meg Rosoff, Shamini Flint and more. BLF 2011 introduced an expanded Children’s Programme and the introduction of both our Migrant Schools Outreach Programme and our Footnotes evening programming, with cabaret, music, performance and more.

2010

In 2010 the festival was bigger still, with over 70 writers from 14 countries, including Amitav Ghosh, David Grossman, Hong Ying, Bi Feiyu, Junot Diaz, Zoe Helller, Asne Sieirstad, Benjamin Zephaniah, Jonathan Fenby and Tash Aw.

Events covered an enormous range of subjects and themes; from book launches, panel discussions, readings and workshops to music events and children’s programming. Our Gala Dinner, held in a private Qing Dynasty courtyard, was a glittering and sought-after event on Beijing’s social calendar.

2009

The Bookworm International Literary Festival 2009 continued to represents a celebration of literature in the truest sense.

The audience was able to engage first hand with novelists, historians, poets, translators, screenwriters, journalists, essayists, and thinkers from countries as far-flung as Norway, Israel, Australia and Lebanon, and witnessed live debate between some of the sharpest commentators on contemporary politics and society.

Our authors and guests included Mo Yan, Blake Morrison, Fuchsia Dunlop, Eliot Weinberger, Howard Goldblatt, James Fallows, Marina Lewycka, Mark Cousins, Tilda Swinton, Rabih Alameddine and more.

2008

The festival continued to grow in 2008 with two jam packed weeks of book launches, literary conversations, panel discussions, workshops, book signings and film screenings, featuring Qiu Xiaolong, Yiyun Li, Patrick Gale, Hari Kunzru, John Man, Zhu Wen, James Kynge, Tim Clissold, James McGregor, Catherine Sampson, Nury Vittachi, Anna Funder, Justin Hill, Nicholas Jose, Christopher Kremmer, Christopher Koch, Roy Kesey, Zhang Lijia, Liz Niven, Ouyang Yu, Gail Jones, Rob Gifford, Sheila Melvin, Miles Merril, Edward Ragg, Lily Brett, Paul French, and more.

2007

We began The Bookworm International Literary Festival humbly in Beijing in 2007, expanding on our year-round book event programme.