Stipendiat:innen
Janhavi Acharekar
photo: Nonzuzo Gxekwa

Janhavi Acharekar (Mumbai, India) is a writer, curator and creative consultant. She is the author of the novel Wanderers, All, short story collection Window Seat: Rush-hour stories from the city and travel guide Moon Mumbai & Goa. Her writings feature in several short fiction anthologies while her literary reviews and features on travel and the arts appear in prominent Indian and international publications. She has curated/ co-curated several literature festivals and arts programmes in India. Janhavi was a Charles Wallace Fellow and visiting writer-in-residence at the University of Stirling, Scotland, and has been awarded residencies at institutions in India and Europe. She is a contributing editor to Conde Nast Traveller India.

The word that might aptly summarise my time at Künstlerdorf is inspiration. This quaint location with art in unlikely spaces, the generosity of its people and its kitchen garden, the camaraderie between fellows, inspired fresh approaches in my practice. When I received my invitation letter, I didn’t know what to expect. I needn’t have worried. Künstlerdorf is that lively spot in a small village nurturing not just the arts but also real friendships between a diverse group of arts practitioners, allowing for meaningful exchanges and fun times over coffee, beer, potluck, barbecues, talks, and long walks.

I came with a work plan (a series of stories) but decided to go with the flow. Sharing my travel stories and curatorial experiences in the Conversas talk and podcast ‘Curved Knowledge’ hosted by Berlin-based artist Sabrina Basten, discussing my work process as a novelist and travel writer in my presentation ‘Fact & Fiction: A collaborative journey’ at the Curating for Advanced Practices (CAP) Seminar, and learning about the work of my colleagues from around the world made this an enriching, fulfilling experience. I’ve come away with renewed energy and inspiration for my work, not to mention some warm friendships!