Now more than ever, contemporary writers are “time traveling” in their work—diving into the past or forging into the future. We see historical novels resurrecting marginalized or forgotten voices; “speculative fiction” taking a stance on what the future will bring if we continue down our current path.

As writers, what compels us to time-travel in our work? What answers are we searching for in landscapes long gone or yet to come? What perspective do these imagined futures and recreated pasts offer on the present?

The 2012 Axton Literary Festival will explore these questions as it features writing that imagines the past, envisions the future, or unravels the concept of time. On April 11-13, join us for readings, discussions, film screenings, and other events.

“Nostalgia for the Light”: A Screening of the Film by Patricio Guzmán

Wednesday, April 11, 3:00 PM / Rauch Planetarium, University of Louisville

In Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth, astronomers gather to observe the stars, ancient light coming to us from light years away. At the same time, women gather in the desert to search for the remains of their loved ones, “disappeared” by the Chilean army after the military coup of 1973 and still missing decades later. Both quests are partly about the past, and partly about the future. This film explores the intersecting paths of the astronomers’ celestial concerns and the women’s earthly ones.

To be followed by a discussion of the film and its treatment of Chile’s political history with Dr. Manuel Medina, Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies. This event is free and open to the public.

A Wrinkle In Time: Women Writers Envision the Future

Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 PM / The Rudyard Kipling, 422 W. Oak Street

On the 50^th anniversary of the publication of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, the now-classic tale of a young girl who moves through space and time on a courageous quest, we offer an evening of readings by women writers on the subject of “The Future.”

Poetry by Katerina Stoykova-Klemer, nonfiction by Bobbi Buchanan and Julie Marie Wade, and a short play by Nancy Gall-Clayton, directed by Kathi B. Ellis and brought to life by actors Laura Ellis and Joseph Hatfield. Mitzi Friedlander reads selections from L’Engle’s Newberry Award-winning book.

Join us at The Rudyard Kipling for a night of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and a short play. The reading will begin at 7:30 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy food and drink at the historic venue. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information.