Constellations: Not Writers’ Week releases full program
Constellations: Not Writers’ Week, created following the cancellation of this year’s Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW), has named more than 100 authors who will appear at 50 events in 19 venues, including Adelaide Town Hall, bookshops, pubs, libraries, halls, shopfronts and a jetty.
The festival runs from 28 February to 6 March.
“When we set out to fill the void left by the cancellation of Writers’ Week, we did not expect such an incredible response,” said author Jennifer Mills, one of the organisers. “It just goes to show how important books, writing and freedom of expression are to South Australians.”
The decentralised festival ranges from major programming at the Adelaide Town Hall to early morning swimmers meeting informally to share poetry, all linked by the theme of freedom of expression. Events will take place in Stirling, Port Elliot, Port Adelaide, Glenelg, Hallett Cove, Prospect, Burnside, Goodwood and the Adelaide CBD. Most are free, with donations used to pay participating authors.
Major events include Randa Abdel-Fattah in conversation with former Writers’ Week director Louise Adler at the Adelaide Town Hall; journalist Peter Greste discussing threats to freedom of the press; and a forum on cultural boycotts, artist strikes and creative solidarity. First Nations–led programming will be a significant feature.
The Australia Institute will present Yanis Varoufakis; and a panel on settler colonialism sees Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, in conversation with historian Henry Reynolds and scholar Lana Tatour.
Constellations Bookshop Day on 5 March will be an opportunity for readers to support local booksellers and the authors involved in the festival, some of whom will be signing books and meeting readers.
“It feels great that we as a group of writers, publishers and, of course, the audience of literature lovers here in South Australia didn’t just passively accept this silencing, but came up with Constellations,” said poet Mike Ladd. “I’m amazed and excited at how big a program has been developed in just a few short weeks.”
The full program is available on the Writers SA website.
Category: Festivals Local news
