Brisbane Writers Festival 2021 program announced

19 March 2021 Books+Publishing

The program for the Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF), which will this year run from Friday 7 May to Sunday, 9 May, has been announced.

‘Starting this year, the First Word and Last Word of every Brisbane Writers Festival will be delivered by an Indigenous artist,’ said the festival. ‘These events reflect the vibrant legacy of Indigenous Australian storytelling, and recognise the importance of putting First Nations voices first.’

Ellen van Neerven will deliver the First Word address on the opening Friday afternoon, and will close the program ‘with a First Nations perspective on prominent themes and ideas from our Festival conversations’ following a session with investigative journalist Christine Jackman on the Sunday afternoon.

Other special events include an opening night address by Robert Dessaix; a Mother’s Day high tea with Kate Morton; a poetry showcase featuring Van Neerven, Luke Best, Anna Jacobson, Rebecca Jessen, David Stavanger, Samuel Wagan Watson and host, Shastra Deo; a guided ‘death meditation’, ‘in which participants are guided through their own death and that of a loved one’ by psychologist and founder of the The Indigo Project Mary Hoang; and a screening of the documentary film 2040 with director and author Damon Gameau.

Festival sessions include Finding the Heart of the Nation author Thomas Mayor in conversation with constitutional lawyer Megan Davis ‘discussing black activism, dissent and mobilising community’, journalist Marian Wilkinson, sustainability consultant Derryn Heilbuth, and economist Ross Garnaut exploring a roadmap for a low-carbon future; Growing Up Disabled in Australia editor Carly Findlay with contributors Emma di Bernardo, Anna Whateley, Todd Winther discussing their individual and shared experiences of disability, ableism and invisibility; and Amie Kaufman, Jane Gilmore, Virginia Trioli and Stephanie Wood in a session on gendered violence, sexual harassment, the law, workplace, and inequality.

To view the full program, see the BWF website.

Category: Local news