Kovalam Literary Festival: Fatima Bhutto Unplugged

Hailing from arguably the most powerful political family in Pakistan, Fatima Bhutto sees her visit to God's own country as a learning experience | By Yentha

Trivandrum: The fourth edition of the Kovalam Literary Festival is sure to be highlighted across the world with some help coming from the latest emerging name from the Bhutto family – 29 year old Fatima Bhutto. Unlike her predecessors this young and talented woman has earned her name through her prowess in transforming words to grasp the imagination of literature loving people from around the globe. In a glittering ceremony held at Hotel South Park, Fatima Bhutto was introduced to the media by Binoo K John, founder, Kovalam Literary Festival.

Talking to the media, Fatima Bhutto said that this was her first time in Kerala and that she was excited to be here. “There are not many South Indians who have visited Pakistan, and there aren't many from Pakistan who have visited this part of the world. So I see this as a learning experience and expect some cultural exchange. Kerala has a great culture and equality among its various religions. It has a high rate of literacy and of course you have great food.”

As a recognisable name in contemporary world literature, Fatima Bhutto holds high regard for Indian literature. “Everybody reads Indian novels nowadays,” she noted.

Belonging to the younger generation in the world of literature, Fatima Bhutto raised many eyebrows with her candid remarks on her dislike of Facebook. “Facebook intrudes into people's privacy and the people willingly surrender themselves to this intrusion. As a person who respects privacy, I am not a fan of Facebook.”

Talking about her view point on the political legacy of the Bhutto family, this young Bhutto opined that it was time for the Bhuttos to restrain from politics
“Bhuttos need to be outside politics to let the field to open up in Pakistan. As for me, I have not envisioned politics as an option in my career anytime.”

She also answered questions regarding the current state of chaos prevailing in the political and social scene in Pakistan.

“It would be absurd to term Pakistan a failed nation. But the system of governance we have there has certainly been a failure. The country is called a democratic state because public elections are held every five years. But it is only when these elections are conducted in a fair manner that the nation can be truly called a democratic nation. Also, there is the need for peace both in the national and international scene for the development of a country. I am against the accumulation of weapons by anyone anywhere in the world.”

When asked about her next book, the young Bhutto replied that all though she is yet to begin work on it, the book will be 'about Pakistan, about Karachi, about a place that's highly misunderstood by the rest of the world.'

The Kovalam Literary Fest is to commence at Kanakakunnu Palace grounds on Saturday, October 1. Fatima Bhutto will be delivering a lecture on politically relevant subjects between India and Pakistan at 10 in the morning. The festival is open to public and will also have book reading sessions by renowned authors like Shehan Karunatileke (Chinaman) and Mohammed Hanif (Our Lady Of Alice Bhatti). The festival will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of New and Renewable energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah.

Source: http://www.yentha.com/news/view/1/13985

Pakistan not failed state: Bhutto

Pakistan is now lorded over a by a man Fatima Bhutto calls 'my aunt’s oleaginous husband', but she insists the country is not a failed state.

The moment Asif Ali Zardari took over the reins of Pakistan her column in The Nation was discontinued, but Bhutto says Pakistani aspirations have always been democratic.

“Governments might have failed, systems might have failed. But Pakistan is a country that could be immensely rich,” she says.

Bhutto is in Kerala to inaugurate the fourth edition of Deccan Chronicle Kovalam Literary Festival on October 1.

“Don’t mistake what you see in Pakistan today as democracy. The country is notorious for its corruption and mismanagement. While the country is reeling from the onslaught of two consecutive floods, the government has the gall to put out a $3-million advertisement in The Wall Street Journal. You can’t call this democracy,” she says.

Politics seems to repel this young Bhutto. “I don’t see politics furthering anything progressive. I never wanted to be a politician. I always wanted to be a writer,” she says.

Bhutto keeps Face-book, too, at an arm’s length. “The intrusion is tremendous. Amid all the fun, people willingly surrender their privacy. Facebook is not my favourite medium,” she says.

Bhutto’s memoir Songs of Blood and Sword might not have been translated to Urdu, but it can be found in Hindi. Among Indian writers in English, she loves Rushdie and Naipaul.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/pakistan-not-failed-state-bhutto-618

Govts have failed, not Pak: Fatima

Pakistan is now lorded over a by a man Fatima Bhutto calls “my aunt’s oleaginous husband” but she insists that Pakistan is not a failed state. The moment Asif Ali Zardari took over the reins of Pakistan her column in the Nation was discontinued but Ms Bhutto says that Pakistani aspirations have always been democratic.

“Governments might have failed, systems might have failed. But Pakistan is a country that could be immensely rich,” said Ms Fatima Bhutto on Friday. She is here to inaugurate the fourth edition of the Deccan Chronicle Kovalam Literary Festival on October 1. “Don’t mistake what you see in Pakistan today as democracy. The country is notorious for its corruption and mismanagement. While the country is reeling under the onslaught of two consecutive floods, the government has the gall to put out a three million dollar advertisement in the Wall Street Journal. You can’t call this democracy,” she said.

Politics seems to repel this young Bhutto. “I don’t see politics furthering anything progressive. I never wanted to be a politician. I always wanted to be a writer,” she said. She keeps Facebook, too, at an arm’s length. “The intrusion involved is tremendous. Amid all the fun, people willingly surrender their privacy. Facebook is not my favourite medium,” she said.
Fatima has her differences with Benazir Bhutto but she still harbours soft feelings for her aunt. “She was a courageous woman who held steadfastly to certain values. It is these memories of her that I treasure the most,” she said. She has a special place for India, too. Her memoir Songs of Blood and Sword might not have been translated into Urdu but it can be found in Hindi. Among Indian writers in English, she loves Rushdie and V.S. Naipaul.

And on the day, Ms Bhutto was found flaunting the most Indian of symbols: a blazing red bindi. “It’s is the first time I am applying one. The staff at the hotel where I stay did this,” she said.

Source: http://www.asianage.com/india/govts-have-failed-not-pak-fatima-196

Fatima Bhutto at the Byron Bay Writers Festival

JUST when you thought the Belongil woodchip was here to stay, the Byron Bay Writers Festival has officially confirmed that it’s on the move.

After Artistic Director Jeni Caffin’s first year when flooding rain saw her and general manager Chris Hanley out there with gumboots and shovels, the festival moved briefly to Belongil Fields, but it is now safely back where it all began, on the site of the old and somewhat beleaguered Byron Bay Beach Resort on Bayshore Drive.

One of the main events of the August festival, which first started in 1997, is the keynote speaker, and last night Ms Caffin and Mr Hanley revealed that this year it will be the controversial journalist and writer, Fatima Bhutto, whose father, Murtaza Bhutto, was killed by police in 1996 in Karachi, during the premiership of her aunt, Benazir Bhutto, who herself was assassinated in 2007.

Fatima Bhutto, a well-known outspoken feminist and intellectual, has a new book launching in April, Songs of Blood and Sword, a history of the Bhutto clan and Pakistani politics.

Although many have wondered if she would enter politics, Ms Bhutto has said that for now she prefers to remain active through writing rather than elected office. “I don’t believe in birth-right politics. I don’t think, nor have I ever thought, that my name qualifies me for anything,” she said.

Source : http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2010/03/26/writers-festival-back-to-bayshore-byron-bay/

Program Schedule for Ubud Festival 7-11 Oct

Main Program

9.00 – 10.00 am Festival Opening

Thursday 8 October

2.30 – 3.30
In Conversation:
Fatima Bhutto
Bejan Matur
Chair Stephen McCarty


Friday 9 October

2.15 – 3.30
Writing in the new world: Obama and dissent:
Fatima Bhutto
Antony Loewenstein
Jamal Mahjoub
Chair Michael Vatikiotis

Saturday 10 October

12.30 – 2.00
Writing the Subcontinent:
Fatima Bhutto
Mohammad Hanif
Sushma
Joshi Vikas Swarup
Chair Richard McGill Murphy


SPECIAL EVENTS

SUNDAY 11 October
12.30 – 15.00
Literary Lunch with Fatima Bhutto and Desi Anwar
Chedi Club
Described as “the bright new star of a revered political dynasty”, Fatima Bhutto is the niece of the assassinated former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, who came to fame after the appearance of her first book, a collection of poems, Whispers of the Desert, written when she was just 15 years old. Fatima Bhutto will discuss her colourful life as a writer, journalist, politician in training and heir apparent to Benazir’s throne with Desi Anwar.

Tuesday 13 October (Outside Bali)
Global voices in Borobudur
The readings and spoken word performances
Fatima Bhutto

Source http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/
http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com/bhutto-fatima/