Oxfam Bookfest
19 July 2010
Ah the yurt. Old friend of the story since time immemorial. Let us gather and tell tales, the Mongolians used to say, and pass me that delicious bowl of camel milk. From Ulan Bator right across the steppes and into the Chinese plains families have gathered to hear the old wisdoms as they travel down through generations. Taking the old saying, “if it’s good enough for Mongolia it’s good enough for Cardiff ,” Oxfam arranged a Readathon to raise awareness for their cause and some much needed cash too. I was invited to read along with published and unpublished authors alike at Milgi Lounge on City Road .
As Julian Rosser of Oxfam gave his introduction to the organisation, explaining all the important work they do in alleviating poverty, I tried to hide my completely ridiculous rose and lychee Martini! I don’t normally drink things like that, I should say, but it was nice.
One thing I’m interested in is the work Oxfam is doing to stop arms getting into conflict areas. I still find it immensely depressing that Britain has a booming weapons trade. Weapons kill people by firing bits of metal and fire into people very fast – don’t make them you morons!
But anyway, the event itself. The yurt was decked out with low sofas, mattresses, and cushions and rugs on the floor. A low door led into it, on whose frame I unceremoniously smacked my head. It was great to see so many familiar faces there, and some new ones too. It was so hot in the yurt that I had to leave every now and again to gulp air but I saw, amongst others, Susie Wild (whose first book, The Art of Contraception, is out in September), Matthew Scott (The Ground Remembers), and Rachel Trezise, who read from the brilliant Sixteen Shades of Crazy. I also saw and met fellow Transworld author Jo Carnegie. I’ve now started reading her book, Wild Things – my eyes are way too innocent for such words! Amy Lloyd read her short story about a girl caring for a blind housemate that asks questions about the nature of sight and perception. She’s got a really fresh voice. Poets Peter Finch and Philip Gross gave very different but very good readings, and I read from On The Third Day, starting at the start. I think it went quite well.
All the authors donated their books to a raffle and I think they sold lots of tickets, though I did feel sorry for the winner because that box must have been pretty darned heavy. The best donated book was a first edition of Philip Gross’ first book of poetry, a thin little green thing that everybody said “aww” at when he said what it was. The place was really buzzing with atmosphere; it was a pleasure to be a part of it. Milgi is a really cool place – very quirky and eclectic. Oxfam did a great job in arranging it all and I hope that there’ll be more in the future because although a single Readathon might not save many lives by itself, the tendrils of its influence could get anywhere.
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