The second edition of the Festival of Democracy, a socio-cultural event organised by a group of Kozhikode-based activists, will be held for four days from August 10.
Gulab Jaan, general convener of the organising committee, said here on Wednesday that the event was being planned at a time when regressive forces were mounting an organised assault on people targeting their food choices, dress, language, and appearance.
The second edition of the festival would uphold fearless expression of thoughts.
“The sessions will highlight the need to uphold democratic values as an essence of modernity. It will be a platform for all those who support democracy to raise their voice against communal and fascist forces,” Mr. Gulab Jaan said.
Artists’ camp
An artists’ camp to be held in association with the Kerala Lalitakala Akademi at the art gallery would mark the beginning of the programmes on August 10.
A drama camp and seminar would follow at the cultural centre, Anakkulam, the next day.
Uday Prakash, Dalit writer and former faculty member, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, would be the key speaker at the opening session on “writing in a democracy” on August 12.
Activist Teesta Setalwad would later chair a debate on the threats being faced by writers. Kumar Shahani and Amudan, film and documentary directors, would attend a session on visual culture on August 13.
Sanjay Bhatt, former IPS officer from Gujarat, would participate in a debate on democracy on the same day.
There would be sessions on cinema, social media, and people’s struggles too.
Key speakers include Sunny M. Kapikkadu, K.E.N. Kunhammed, Vijoo Krishnan, Ramya Nambeesan, and Deepa Nisanth.