For those of you who always have their nose buried in a good book or never leave home without their Kindle, we can all agree that reading is typically a solitary activity. However, once a year, a plethora of Brisbane’s biggest literary buffs assemble in one place to show us just how much words can bring us together.
We’re talking, of course, about the annual Brisbane Writers Festival, back again for 2019 to celebrate and champion the work of writers who contemplate the big issues facing our world—climate change, race, gender, technology and more. Having just announced an epic line up of over 160 internationally renowned writers, thinkers and opinion makers, this year’s Festival is sure to not disappoint. Then again, has it ever?
Before you start thinking the festival is just a bunch of people reading words on a page, think again. This year’s event line up includes a chat with rising hip-hop and rap star, Baker Boy, slam poetry champion Melanie Munungurr-Williams and comedian Steven Oliver—we can guarantee that panel will be nothing like your average university lit class.
Other events to hit up include a discussion about what will bring about the end of the world—climate, terror or, our personal pick, zombies—and how writers create apocalyptic scenarios, as well as a must see slam poetry performance.
Author wise, we’re keen to hear from Joanne Ramos, whose dystopian debut novel The Farm is said to be the next The Handmaid’s Tale, and John Marsden, who you might recognise from your high school reading list as the author of Tomorrow When The War Began. Plus you can hear from the alwayshilarious Benjamin Law, whose books discuss vital messages of representation of marginalised communities on Australian TV, while also being goddamn funny.
That’s only a small taste of what to expect—to check out the whole program, head to the BWF Website.
THE DETAILS
What: Brisbane Writers Festival
When: State Library of Queensland
When: 5–8 September
Find out more here.
An orchestral dance concert is taking over Brisbane City Hall—get the details here.
Image credit: Baker Boy