Perth Writers Festival
PERTH WRITERS FESTIVAL 2012 PROGRAM IS OUT NOW!
Perth International Arts Festival is delighted to announce the full program of events at the Perth Writers Festival. Grab a copy and start planning your weekend of lively readings, talks, debates, workshops and culinary events with some of the best national and international authors including Justice Michael Kirby, Barbara Trapido, Jo Nesbo, Janette Turner Hospital, Germaine Greer, William McInnes, Marieke Hardy and Kim Scott.
This year we have many issues-based sessions that invite you to delve into the minds of some of our finest writers and thinkers to explore some of the ideas that collectively concern us now. PWF Program Manager Danielle Benda said: “With sessions on crime writing, memoir, biography, politics and art, food, the media and sport, I hope that no matter what ideas interest you, you will find something for you at our wonderful Festival.”
Highlights include some Australian stars of literature such as Tom Keneally, Frank Moorhouse, Steven Carroll, Cate Kennedy, Elliot Perlman and Mandy Sayer as well as cracking reads from the likes of John Birmingham, Michael Robotham and Peter FitzSimons.
Writer and broadcaster Marieke Hardy stars in many PWF events, including a special edition of Women of Letters – five brilliant women in a lively homage to the lost art of letter writing.
The beautiful Sunken Garden at UWA plays host to a fabulous night of entertainment with comedian Fiona O’Loughlin and music legend Dave Graney present An Evening in the Garden.
For a peek into the private worlds of two very public men, join former High Court Justice Michael Kirby in A Private Life, (who will be interviewed by Supreme Court Justice James Edelman) while renowned actor and author William McInnes discusses life without his other half, filmmaker Sarah Watt in Worse Things Happen at Sea. Crusading international journalists David Rieff and Peter Godwin will talk about their experiences in conflict as will US Propublica journalist Kim Barker who is a specialist on Afghanistan and Pakistan while Guardian columnist Alom Shaha from the UK will tell us why he is an atheist.
Australian media stars Annabel Crabb, George Megalogenis, Paul Murray and Paul Cleary will discuss the media and its shortcomings. Academics and critics Robert Manne, James Paterson, Anne Manneand Carmen Lawrence discuss some of the issues that matter and examine our political leaders.
Foodie and celebrity farmer: Matthew Evans will talk about how his life has changed since going bush and how the food choices we make have broader implications for our community.
And of course there are the highlights you may have already noted, including one of the world’s most influential thinkers, Germaine Greer, who gives the opening address on Eco-Feminism: Then and Now; stand-out spoken word event The 14th Tale is a free-flowing narrative that tells the hilarious exploits of a mischief maker who grew up on the clay streets of Nigeria, the rooftops of Dublin and finally landed in London from writer and performer Inua Ellams; Chetan Bhagat, the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history and one of Time Magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’, gives the Perth Writers Festival closing address.
Feast of Words has all the ingredients for a perfect summer night: good friends, great food and some of the world’s most intriguing authors. Indulge in a gourmet three-course feast as literary stars including UK novelist Barbara Trapido, Irish poet Dennis O’Driscoll, NZ’s 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize winner Craig Cliff and Norwegian sensation Johan Harstad complement each dish with specially chosen readings.
And children of all ages can get hands-on with readings, games, workshops and activities at the Perth Writers Festival Family Day. Authors and illustrators entertain and enlighten in an outdoor carnival atmosphere, bringing the imaginative world of books to life.
So grab a copy of the program in The West Australian on Saturday, 28 January or you can order one or download a copy from our website: www.perthfestival.com.au/writers
WHEN: Thur 23 – Sun 26 Feb WHERE: Perth Writers Festival Precinct, UWA BOOKINGS AND FESTIVAL INFO: 6488 5555 • perthfestival.com.au
