Dubbed “Bangkok 1st literary festival,” this event sounds like a really huge deal. Can you tell us how this project came about?
Being a library we are always looking for initiatives to promote reading and enlarge the interest in books. In this respect we already do storytelling, readathon, individual author talks etc but we felt it was time to bring up something new and inspiring, that would give a big push to promote reading to a wide audience. While travelling in Sri Lanka my attention was drawn to the Galle Literature Festival. The next thing that was in my mind: "why is there nothing like that in Thailand" followed by "we should organise this at the library!" So brought the idea back and my fellow colleagues were very enthusiast immediately. We had the right spirit and started off like that. We researched a number of Thailand based authors and started contacted them to explore the idea. It all worked out very successfully, as you can see in our program.

Who are the people behind it?
We have a small team of five ladies who have been involved with the Neilson Hays Library for quite some time. Cathy Lynch is our webmaster, Kate Mc Donald is a board member, Jenny Beattie is a previous board member and writer herself and Janice Santikarn was vice president of the library board for quite some time and a children book author as well. I have been involved in different roles in the library. We all have a passion for books, the library and its building. And we also feel we should contribute to the community to promote reading and writing.

How did you get involved?
As I was the one who brought in the idea, there was a strong feeling that I should carry it. So far it has been a very fascinating journey, the authors & workshop leaders we approached all responded very very positive, which inspired us so much to move it forward and make it happen.

Thais on average are notoriously known to read only two books a year. In your opinion, what can be done to improve the situation?
I am a strong believer that it helps a lot if children learn to enjoy reading from a very young age. It starts with snuggling on your (grand)parents lap, even if you are not a reader, telling stories with a picture book does the trick. Let's be honest, the first books were oral books and storytelling is a very old profession. Once in school, it is so great to see how much joy kids get out of books, if it is brought to them in a pleasant and fun way. I think the combination of home & school to encourage reading is the best. Access to books is of course an added value and we hope to play a role in that also in cooperation with schools. Another element is that once people see the value of reading and the benefits it has, it becomes part of your lifestyle. A good book, does not need a battery recharger; a good book can be read anywhere because once the story catches you, you want to finish that book, you forget the time and you just enjoy it! So if we can create an environment with young readers, we create life long readers for the future.

What are some of the highlights we should be looking forward to at the event?
Join one of the workshops, all designed to pass on some of the skills associated with writing and storytelling. Or come and listen in to the author’s talks. Authors of all genres will speak on either their work, the themes in their work or developments on books and literature. You will be able to listen to world famous author-chefs Ken Hom (My Kitchen Table) and David Thompson (Thai Street Food). Philip Cornwel-Smith (Very Thai) will talk about trends in Thailand. The translators of the Thai classic The Tale of Khun Chang Khun Phaen, Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit, will discuss their craft. Then we close the day with a performance from the Bangkok Poetry group. It will be a wonderful and unique day, all with a literary theme.

Who should come to this event?
If you love books, if you love reading or if you simply love to hear some of the authors speak about fascinating topics, it is a day not to be missed!

WordPlay takes place on May 22, 10am-6pm, at Neilson Hays Library.