Author David Almond Invited to TIBF

Acclaimed British writer David Almond, 65, has expressed enthusiasm to personally attend the Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF), in response to an invitation by the Tehran-based publishing house Houpaa.

The 30th TIBF is slated for May 3-13 at the ‘Shahr-e-Aftab’ (Sun City) in south Tehran.

“Almond, who has written several novels for children and young adults, is willing to participate in the event and conduct a writing workshop,” said Mohammad Motevali, manager of Houpaa Publication, Mehr News Agency reported.

Houpaa Publication has brought out Almond’s 2003 book ‘The Fire Eaters.’ About his works, Motevali said: “He is widely known for his debut young adult’s novel ‘Skellig’ (1998) which won him several awards.”

Skellig is a children’s fantasy novel in magic realism. It has won the Children’s Book of the Year of the UK-based Whitbread Award and also the British literary award Carnegie Medal from the Library Association. Since publication, it has also been adapted into a play, an opera, and a film.

Among Almond’s other notable works, Motevali named ‘Kit’s Wilderness’ (1999), ‘Heaven Eyes’ (2000), ‘Secret Heart’ (2001) and ‘Clay’ (2005). They all are a combination of the real contemporary world, fantasies, ethnic conflict and his valuable experiences.

He is in fact a writer who tries to offer a presentation of a supernatural world “where actuality and legend, reality and fiction exchange places in a creative blend,” he said.

A considerable number of Almond’s novels have been translated and released in Persian. “Though publishers here fail to adhere to international copyright laws, Almond is simply happy that Iranian children can read his books,” Motevali maintained.

Houpaa Publication has written to the UK-based cultural foundation Avron, where Almond is a guest tutor, inviting him to the Tehran book event. Through a series of his training workshops, writers in Iran get to know him more and can learn from his experience, skills and techniques.

“I believe such interactions can help us improve our contemporary literature and reinforce our connection with world literature,” he said.