Literary with a Capital M: Festival Tickets on Sale Now

Tickets went on sale yesterday for Capital M’s Literary Festival. The restaurant’s fortnight of talks on writing, food and travel begins on February 25, which also serves as the unofficial kick-off date for Beijing’s book-based festival season. Here's a rundown of what to expect, where to purchase tickets, and the novelists, journalists, memoirists and adventurers who will be showcased at the Capital M Literary festival.

The festival will feature 29 speakers and 21 events. The talks range from panel discussions on wine and photography to sessions with authors like Cheryl Tan (who blends food and family in her memoir A Tiger In The Kitchen), Harold McGee (a food writer who focuses on the science behind cooking) and Jeff Fuchs (the first Western traveler to trek the whole of the ancient Tea Horse road). A complete program and individual author bios can be found on Capital M’s website.

If you’re interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online at Mypiao.com or in-person at Capital M. Tickets cost RMB 65 and include a drink. Children and student tickets will cost RMB 20 and include a soft drink.

One of the highlights will be a literary lunch with Australian economist Ross Garnaut on March 7. The one-time ambassador to China will present a talk on the economic impacts of climate change, to be moderated by Beijing-based journalist Jonathan Watts. The lunch-discussion combo costs RMB 188.

We've been covering some of the other speakers as well. Check out Marilyn Mai’s interview with food writer Harold McGee in our February issue and keep an eye on the blog for an upcoming interview with Cheryl Tan.

If you’d like to know more about this event in general, here are a few posts from last year’s festival, the M’s first in Beijing. (In Shanghai, the Capital M Literary Festival is celebrating its tenth year.)

Finally, if you’re looking for even more bookish events, check out our post on The Bookworm International Literary Festival, which kicks off March 9. the Beijinger is getting in on the action this year. We'll be presenting "Pop-Up Magazine" (Mar 16) and "Choose Your Own Adventure" (Mar 14). Details to come!