EWF 2020 to take place ‘entirely online’

2 April 2020 Books+Publishing

The Emerging Writers Festival (EWF), which runs from 16–23 June, usually in Melbourne, will take place online as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Festival organisers ‘made the proactive decision to shift the 2020 festival completely online’ in response to precautionary measures advised by local and global health authorities.

In a statement, newly appointed EWF artistic director Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh said the team was ‘excited to be able to move forward with an online festival, as we feel that now—more than ever—it is vitally important to provide platforms for art and artists, and to also provide inspiration and opportunities to our audiences’.

The statement said the 2020 event would ‘challenge what a traditional literary festival looks like’.

‘Through virtual webinars, live streams, podcasts and digital projects, EWF will deliver engaging arts and literary events straight to lounge rooms, bedrooms and offices around the world. The festival is accessible anywhere, anytime by anyone with an internet connection, and many of the events in the program are free.’

In announcing the change, the festival pointed out that the event ‘has a strong track record of presenting an online content-centric festival, as seen through EWF’s Digital Writers’ Festival and the EWFDigital stream’.

The full program will go live on the EWF website on Tuesday, 12 May at 5pm AEDT.

Category: Events Festivals Local news News