At a time when the country witnesses a raging debate over intolerance, Kerala is getting ready to host a literary festival with tolerance as the core theme. Creative writers, journalists, theatre and film personalities will deliberate on tolerance at the fifth edition of the South India Writers Ensemble (SIWE), to be held at Chengannur, a sleepy town in the coastal district of Alappuzha, from July 24.

Organised by People for Performing Arts and More, an art-cum-cultural outfit, the three-day annual literary gathering is aimed at bringing about an enriching interaction between writers from different languages and regions. Noted Malayalam writer and director of the festival T R Rajeevan said every language has its own style of expression and the objective of SIWE is to explore the power of language and literature through the gathering of writers.

"Being a part of human sensibility, tolerance is an age old, cliched subject. But, in the present socio political scenario, there is a need to discuss and ponder upon this topic. It is time to observe and acknowledge changing perspectives," the writer said. Kannada writer and director of PAMPA, Kanaka Ha Ma said that Hindi has been selected as the main language of this year's ensemble and related writers and other personalities will take part in it. Well-known Hindi author, Udayan Vajpeyi will inaugurate the festival on July 24, the organisers said. The festival will be concluded on July 26.