Welcome to Book Town Richmond. Home of Madibaland @ BookBedonnerd Literary Festival
What is a Book Town?
A Booktown is a small town or village with a concentration of booksellers who sell mainly second-hand and out-of-print titles. The bookshops are often twinned with other enterprises such as coffee shops, internet cafes or artisan studios. Many of these bookshops also sell local arts and crafts. The goals of a Book Town include resurrecting flagging rural economies and revitalising regions by developing a local book-based economy with a tourism dimension. Most Book Towns develop around villages of historic significance or scenic beauty.
The idea of a Book Town has taken hold in over 25 countries around the world. Book Town Richmond will now mean that a book town exists on every continent in the world.
How it Started
Book Town Richmond was born from a moment of singular inspiration. This unique literary haven in the Northern Cape emerged from a wild idea by Darryl Earl David, the only Indian lecturer of Afrikaans in South Africa, and was enthusiastically embraced by Dr. Peter Baker, a Johannesburg vet from Canada who fell in love with Richmond. Their vision to create a town filled with bookshops in the middle of nowhere came to fruition in September 2007.
The legendary Patrick Mynhardt inaugurated Booktown Richmond, delivering his final South African performance as Oom Schalk Lourens and the Boy from Bethulie. The original trio of bookshop owners included Peter Baker, Darryl David, and John Donaldson, who would eventually own nearly every bookshop in Richmond. Inspired by Richard Booth’s success with Hay-on-Wye, their mantra was simple: “Build it and they will come.”
Since its inception, Book Town Richmond has progressed remarkably. What started as a dream has transformed into a vibrant community of book lovers and cultural enthusiasts. The town now boasts a variety of bookshops, each offering a unique selection of literary treasures.
Today, Book Town Richmond stands as a testament to the power of visionary thinking and community spirit. This literary oasis invites visitors to explore its charming bookshops, enjoy cultural events, and immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the Karoo.
Make sure to visit Richmond, Northern Cape, on your next journey. This literary gem promises a memorable experience and a chance to discover one of South Africa’s most unique destinations.
Photographer: Louis Botha
BookBedonnerd?
BookBedonnerd focuses on things that make life in the Great Karoo donners nice: food, local culture and arts, stoepsit, and of course, books. The BookBedonnerd Karoo Literary Festival is not only a celebration of the written word, but a weekend
full of entertainment and activities, as evidenced by our line-up of guest raconteurs and speakers.
In addition to the local bookshops, there are book presentations by publishing companies and tables decked with books from book dealers from all over on the stoeps of downtown Richmond. The festival, however, will not only be restricted to books, but will be a “Celebration of the Karoo” with Karoo cooking and the unique local flora and fauna.
The activities are bound to leave a few throats empathising with this region which has been referred to as “The Land of Thirst”. So in keeping with true Karoo hospitality, we have ensure that all the eateries and watering holes are suitably stocked to enable visitors to spend time indulging in one of the most pleasant Karoo pastimes – stoep sitting and… watching the passage of time.
Madibaland World Literary Festival,
The Madibaland World Literary Festival, takes place in the Northern Cape town of Richmond, popularly known as South Africa’s only Book Town.
The festival was established during the COVID-19 in 2020 and has since become a hybrid event, with live talks taking place in Richmond and an online component to allow international speakers to join.
In four short years, the festival has attracted winners of the prestigious Booker Prize, Damon Galgut and Ben Okri, as well as Irish Booker Prize winner, John Banville.
The Booker Prize is a literary award conferred each year to the best novel written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom and in Ireland.
Darryl David, author and lecturer in UWC’s Faculty of Education, commented about the festival: “I think not many people at UWC realise that the University probably has the best-balanced portfolio of literary festivals among any university in South Africa. “Besides Madibaland, the Faculty of Education also hosts the SA Festival of Children’s Literature and the Adam Small Festival in Pniel.”
Co-organisers:
Darryl Earl David: Maverick extraordinaire – recently published his memoir, BookBedonnerd! The Road to Elsewhere. With a sting in his tail, he tells it all. Darryl is the most experienced pioneer of book festivals in South Africa – over the years he has curated more than a hundred. Many are in far-flung areas of the Karoo, such as in Richmond, that fairytale town Darryl branded as Africa’s only Book Town way back in 2007.
BookBedonnerd, the book festival that is synonymous with Book Town Richmond is one of the most joyous festivals around. Darryl also managed against all expectations to have the city of Durban elevated to a Unesco City of Literature, Hermanus to a Unesco City of Gastronomy and Howick a Unesco City of Craft and Folk Art. All three Unesco projects were firsts on the African continent.
Darryl is also the author of three coffee table books on country churches of South Africa. And he may well be the only Indian lecturer of Afrikaans in Africa.
Dr. Peter Baker: A dedicated veterinarian and a prominent figure in the South African literary community. Originally from Canada, Dr Baker discovered the scenic Karoo town of Richmond, bought a significant amount of real estate, and established Die Richmond Supper Klub.
He also co-organizes Richmond Book Town, a unique initiative that transforms the small town into a vibrant hub for book lovers and literary events. His dual passion for animal care and literature makes him an inspiring and multifaceted individual, contributing significantly to both fields.
Through Richmond Book Town, Dr. Baker fosters a love for reading and brings together authors, readers, and scholars from around the world.
Angie Butler: Born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa, Angie’s journey has been as diverse as it is inspiring. Starting in film and theatre, she found her passion for sculpting in London, earning a degree from the City and Guilds of London Art School. However, it was her love for cycling and writing that ignited her career as a cycling journalist, later transitioning into broader journalism.
Driven by a thirst for adventure, Angie co-founded Ice Tracks Expeditions, a polar voyaging company, and authored captivating books such as “ICE TRACKS – Today’s Heroic Age of Polar Adventure” and “THE QUEST FOR FRANK WILD,” the latter transformed into a BBC documentary. Collaborating with polar historian Beau Riffenburgh, she penned “SHACKLETON’S CRITIC – the life and Diaries of Eric Stewart Marshall” and contributed to “The Antarctic Diaries of Frank Wild.”
After selling Ice Tracks Expeditions, Angie returned to her artistic roots, delving back into painting, sculpture, and writing. Her love for colder climates intertwines with her role as co-organizer of the Madibaland @ Bookbedonnerd Literary Festival in Richmond, nestled in South Africa’s Karoo region. Angie’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and exploration.
