Ba'Zinzile Book Club: Reading List

Breathe Deeper with Every Page

The pages of a good book have a way of opening up the heart and mind. Now, imagine diving into those pages in a place where the act of breathing, being, and belonging takes centre stage. That’s exactly what we’re inviting you to experience with the Ba’zinzile Bookclub, a vibrant celebration of literature set within the reflective and creative atmosphere of the Stellenbosch Triennale 2025.

Inspired by the themes explored in Ba’zinzile: A Rehearsal for Breathing, we invite book clubs of all backgrounds to come together and immerse themselves in a collection of books that have deeply influenced the work of the Triennale’s artists. These works touch on profound themes, from ancestral futures to postcolonial reflections, and metaphysical musings to lyrical longings. Here, in the sacred stillness of Oude Libertas, where creativity meets mindfulness, there is space for all to breathe, reflect, and connect with one another.

Books that Shape the Future of Art and Thought

The reading list curated for the second edition of the Stellenbosch Triennale isn’t just a collection of literary works - it’s a thoughtful selection that’s influenced the practices of the artists participating and their understanding of the theme they were tasked with. These books have sparked conversations about identity, culture, power, and the spirit, serving as a bridge between the past, present, and future.

Recommended Reading List

Here are some of our top recommendations from the list provided to the ST2025 artists that are sure to spark inspiration, reflection, and deeper understanding:

• Ancestral Future by Ailton Krenak

• Art and Objects by Graham Harman

• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

• The Book of Love by Rumi

• Chasing Shadows by Santu Mofokeng

• Decolonising the Mind by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

• The Department of Truth by James Tynion & Martin Simmonds

• Flash of the Spirit by Robert Farris Thompson

• Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

• Hyperobjects by Timothy Morton

• Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

• Lüderitz by Tim Gassauer

• The Luminous and the Grey by David Batchelor

• A Map to the Door of No Return by Dionne Brand

• Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga

• Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

• Plans for Sentences by Renée Gladman

• Talking Back by bell hooks

• Venus in Two Acts by Saidiya Hartman

• Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters by Lynnée Denise

This eclectic mix of genres and topics - from the poignant poetry of Rumi to the speculative futures imagined in Kindred - is sure to spark rich discussions and reflections on the state of the world today. Whether you’re reading the works of legendary authors like Toni Morrison or diving into the philosophical musings of Timothy Morton, these books encourage us to consider not only what we have inherited from the past but also how we might shape the future.

Join Us for a Rehearsal of Aliveness

Picture your book club meeting in the peaceful embrace of Oude Libertas, where the soft rustle of leaves accompanies the passionate exchange of ideas. Whether it’s sharing poetry under the oaks or engaging in heated debates in the sun, this is a space where every word and every breath is part of the larger dance of life.

Get in touch with the Triennale team to book a session for your book club at Oude Libertas - the anchor venue for the 2025 Stellenbosch Triennale!

Let’s breathe in stories together.