In a significant shift that blends culture with history, the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) this year traded the conventional confines of hotel halls for the expansive, open grounds of Freedom Park. This iconic location, once the city's central jail, provided a powerful new backdrop for discussions on books, ideas, and culture.
From Confinement to Celebration of Ideas
The festival's new home saw the left and right barracks, which previously housed prisoners, and the area around the old watchtower transform into vibrant venues for intellectual exchange. For numerous Bengalureans, the event offered a first-ever opportunity to step inside a landmark they had primarily associated with political protests and demonstrations.
BLF co-founder Srikrishna Ramamoorthy explained that the move was motivated by the festival's growing scale, a need for better accessibility, and a core philosophy that a public festival truly belongs in a public space. "We felt it would be nicer to have a bigger space with our audience increasing every year," Ramamoorthy stated. He emphasized, "We are a city festival and a public festival, so we thought it would be nice to do it in a public space rather than a private one."
A Venue with Symbolism and Convenience
The organizing team was convinced after visiting Freedom Park, noting its open grounds, central location, and excellent connectivity. Ramamoorthy shared a common revelation, saying, "Most of us thought Freedom Park was just a place for protest, but this is another great public space one needs to explore." He added a poignant observation that hosting a celebration of free thought in a former jail carried a quiet symbolism, effectively turning a site historically linked with restriction into one that actively encourages open expression.
Practical considerations like the availability of multi-level parking and easy access to bus and Metro stations further strengthened the case for the venue change, making it more convenient for the public to attend.
Visitors and Participants Applaud the Change
Attendees felt the new venue added unique character and depth to the festival experience. Visitor Yogitha Mamtora expressed, "Many of us locals never came inside Freedom Park; we would always just see it from the outside. It is nice to see that this place, which was a jail before, has been converted into a literary space today."
The spread-out layout of the grounds was also appreciated for improving crowd management. Dancer and moderator Madhu Nataraj pointed out that the open layout eased the usual crowding typical of such festivals. Former professors M.E. Nandan and P. Varghese Matthew voiced hope that this pioneering move would set a trend, encouraging more public cultural events to be held at Freedom Park in the future.
The relocation of the Bangalore Literature Festival marks a meaningful evolution, not just in venue but in spirit. It successfully repurposes a chapter of the city's history into a dynamic forum for the free flow of ideas, reinforcing the festival's role as a true civic celebration accessible to all.
