Literary Festivals as Makers of the Global Novel

Abstract

This article argues that literary festivals are crucial agents in the contemporary global literary landscape, actively shaping the ‘global novel’ and the ‘global writer’. It contends that traditional literary criticism has understudied the role of cultural market agents like festivals, emphasizing instead the globalization of the novelistic genre and its themes. These festivals have shifted the focus from the aesthetic value of texts to the social capital of authors, who increasingly gain recognition through their public image and participation in these events. The article posits that festivals are co-producers of the global novel, selecting and promoting both the works with transnational themes and the authors who embody the ‘global writer’. The Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias serves as a case study of a ‘global festival’ that exemplifies these trends by showcasing internationally recognized authors and addressing global issues. This study concludes that in the postmodern era, the ‘global writer’ subject, rather than solely the ‘global novel’ object, best signifies the relationship between Latin American literature and globalization, with festivals playing a vital role in constructing literary value through the visibility and selection of authors.