EIBF: Sunday Best

This cloudless Sunday was a very civilized family affair: chinos and linen shirts, bottles of white wine in coolers, children darting around with ice-cream cones, families sprawled around with books – a true vision of idyll.

The glorious weather was coupled with a fabulous lineup of events, of which I went to see Fatima Bhutto, Dan Cruickshank, and Carol Ann Duffy.

Fatima Bhutto

Progeny of the ill-fated dynastic Bhutto family, and a writer and journalist in her own right, Fatima Bhutto’s controversial Songs of Blood and Sword is fiercely critical of the current system of governance, and indeed the current government in Pakistan. Having lost several members of her family- including her father (Mir Murtaza Bhutto) when she was 14- to political assassinations, Fatima tells a story of violence and the dire straits in which Pakistan finds itself today.

In spite of the sombre subject matter, Fatima is instantly likable, and the epitome of elegance and charm. She spoke with confidence, acumen and most importantly, sincerity. The inordinate amount of emotional strength it must take her to rehash the tragedy of her father’s death time and time again, one can only imagine. But Fatima, in the words of Anthony Burgess, has found her “swordpen” and she uses it with resolute dexterity.

Criticising the outrageous levels of corruption in the Pakistani government, and quoting astonishing figures to support her claims, Fatima assured us that given better governance, transparency, and democracy, Pakistan could start to recover. Whether the issue is education, terrorism, or disaster relief as in the case of the current horrific floods, she claimed the government has failed its people. Fatima quotes Transparency International, who claim that 70% of the money given to the Pakistani government for flood prevention was pocketed by the government. She also brought attention to that fact that Pakistan failed to meet its millennium goal of eradicating polio for the simple fact that it could not ensure the refrigeration of the vaccine due to electricity cuts – ironic considering Pakistan is a nuclear power. Not that the country does not have the funds or the know how, but that the government is innately corrupt.

Fatima was not only critical of Pakistan, but American foreign policy too. “It does not give America license to bomb every madrassa that pops up on their Google Earth map,” she remarked wryly, and reminded everyone that America has propped up every military dictatorship and corrupt government that Pakistan has had, not to mention the Taliban itself.

But Fatima also offers hope. Nationalization, she says, is a necessary step in reducing the wealth gap and increasing basic human rights. NGOs are essential in disaster relief; after vehemently discouraging people and governments for throwing money at the Pakistani government, she suggested the alternative of donating to organizations like the Red Cross (Red Crescent in Pakistan). There is a real drive for change, for justice, for equality, for improvement, she argued: “The BBC doesn’t catch these voices, but there are voices that are fighting.” Her own included, as she says ingenuously: “Who’s going to do it?” We have to.”

 

Dan Cruickshank

Dan Cruickshank, BBC presenter and art/architecture historian, was utterly delightful. Animated and impassioned, Cruickshank told a extraordinary tale about “the wages of sin”—or prostitution— in 17^th and 18^th century London. His book The Secret History of Georgian London explores the business of prostitution, and uncovers the most unexpected facts – many of which are quite contrary to popular belief.

A most fascinating paradox which Cruickshank pinpointed was that of how prostitution was one of the few ways of economic independence for women at the time; ironic considering that to be independent and break out of patriarchal constraints, women had to make themselves sexually available to men. He then went on the question the lines of prostitution: marriage for example, if done for financial security, could be interpreted as a form of prostitution, surely?

Drawing several connections where they may never have seen, or discovering facts which might never be thought to exist, it was apparent that Cruickshank was deeply immersed in his work and research. As he delved into his stories with boundless enthusiasm, they became all the more interesting, so much so that the equally enthused chair, Sheena McDonald, had to make several attempts to bring the event to a close, before actually succeeding in putting a stop to the delightfully garrulous Cruickshank.

 

Carol Ann Duffy

It is times like this when I could swear that poetry was only ever meant to be recited by the poet and never read alone. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy was truly sensational as she flitted between the most eclectic tones and personas to recite poems both old and new.

Droll humour and ironic quips, coupled with wistful and often impassioned poetry, Duffy’s recitation could only be described as an actor’s performance. Her poetry is feminist and comical, political and nostalgic, classical and postmodern; there is no question as to why the exceptionally talented Duffy has been so highly commended. I could scarcely keep from crying during the three poems Duffy recited about her mother, who passed away in 2005. Duffy effortlessly transported the room at her will and whim, engulfing the audience in the spell and dimensions of her words.

Opened by medieval musician John Sampson playing Scottish folk songs, followed by Duffy’s enchanting readings, this event was a perfect one to round off the day.