See highlights from the 2024 'Harper Bazaar' literary salon
Stars of the literary world took part in intimate talks for Harper Bazaar’s 2024 literary salon. Hosted at The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel, near London’s upmarket Sloane Square, guests were steeped in literary history from the outset of the night; the hotel houses the famous room where Oscar Wilde was arrested, champagne glass in hand, in 1895.
Proceedings at the event, however, went without the involvement of law enforcement; for our second annual salon, Bazaar’s contributing literary editor Erica Wagner interviewed the Booker-shortlisted author Elif Shafak about literature’s ability to transcend boarders. Later on, Bazaar’s acting deputy editor, Helena Lee, spoke to the former winner of Bazaar’s short-story competition, Kaliane Bradley, about her wildly unique debut novel, The Ministry of Time, and the innovative way she perceives her creative world.
Guests at the sold-out event also had the opportunity to meet the authors, purchase books and have them signed, as well as network with other like-minded individuals over canapés and plenty of wine.
The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel near Sloane Square, was home to all the action
Guests were greeted with the events proceedings in the foyer
Venus Williams graces our October cover, and copies were available for guests
Wine flowed for guests upon arrival (as well as delicious soft drink alternatives)
A delicious canapé menu featured smoked salmon blinis and lamb kofta with cucumber raita
The talks took place in the Oscar Wilde room, just behind the bar
Harper's Bazaar's editor-in-chief Lydia Slater introduced proceedings
Bazaar's contributing literary editor Erica Wagner (right) interviewed the Booker-shortlisted author Elif Shafak
Copies of Elif Shafak's new book, There Are Rivers in the Sky, were included in the gift bag for each guest
The Booker-shortlisted novelist also read out an excerpt from her latest work.
The former winner of Bazaar’s short-story competition, Kaliane Bradley, (right) spoke with acting deputy editor Helena Lee
Bradley delivered a short reading from her best-selling book, The Ministry of Time
"Just because we don't see the past, it doesn't mean it's still not shaping the present moment," Elif Shafak.
"In my writing, if I have to write about melancholy or loss, I find these things much easier to express in Turkish, still to this day. But when it comes to humour, which I love, and irony, it's much easier to do those in English," Elif Shafak
Kaliane Bradley explained how The Ministry of Time came to being
"I think about jester's privilege as the use of humour to touch on and highlight painful or difficult issues without being shut down," Kaliane Bradley
Titles from the authors were available to purchase from the independent bookseller Bookbar
Both authors signed books for those in attendance after their talks
Some guests left with personalised messages from the authors
Each guest took home a goodie bag worth £100
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