The Cartiers at the JLF Festival (Maldives!)

Sometimes you get an invite that you just can't refuse. I'm deep in research so trying to keep my head down right now but when the brilliant @sanjoykroy @JLFlitfestgot in touch to ask me to speak at the inaugural JLF Soneva Fushi Festival in…wait for it… the Maldives...I didn’t have to think too hard about it!

To give a bit of background - just before the world pressed pause in 2020, there was a brief window when I was zooming around the world (this before I even knew what a ‘zoom’ was) launching my book. One of the places I was invited to speak was JLF in its hometown: the magical pink Indian city of Jaipur. I was thrilled, I love India – I’d already spent a fair amount of time there when researching my book - and even just to hear the talks at JLF had been on my bucket list for some time (described as “the greatest literary show on earth”, JLF has hosted over 2,000 speakers over the past decade).

And sure enough, it was incredible...if slightly daunting because the first talk I attended turned out to be my own. Just an hour or so after arriving at the festival, I found myself up on stage in front of what appeared to be an endless crowd - later I was told it had been around 4000 people – sharing stories about the Cartiers and their personal links with India, including the influence India had on their designs (this image #tuttifrutti). And then, to music and applause (at least from my kids in the front row!), my book was formally launched by the Princess of Jaipur (2nd image).

This time, at #jlfsonevafushi2022 as part of 10 days of debates, talks, workshops, music, poetry and film, I'll be speaking with Maharani @radhikaraje of Baroda. For those who joined our webinar last year (3rd image), this is a chance to hear more about the Maharaja and the jeweller. No shortage of jewels of course – Baroda was famed for its pearl carpets, diamond necklaces and incomparable pearls – but also a very human story about two men, both driven by a great sense of duty.

For those that can make it, look forward to seeing you there! Talks will also be recorded. The festival runs from May 13–22nd - see 4th image for their enticing little video!

#artandculture