Literary lovers, assemble! The Byron Writers Festival is back for 2023 at a brand-new location and ready to dish up a scholarly smorgasbord of storytelling, inspirational ideas and conversation. From August 11–13 more than 120 writers and thinkers will come together at Bangalow Showground to ponder the power of stories and the written word in shaping who we are. The Byron Writers Festival has become famous for its relaxed and friendly vibe, open-air beachside location and compelling conversations spanning a mix of genres including music, art, environment, philosophy, health, politics, human rights and of course, memoir and fiction. This year will be no exception.
This year’s festival will showcase the theme ‘Wild Imagination’ and feature 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, beloved broadcaster and author Richard Fidler, celebrated writer, commentator and actor Nakkiah Lui, and international bestselling author Pip Williams. They are joined by international guest Kevin Jared Hosein (Trinidad) author of the breakthrough historical novel Hungry Ghosts and acclaimed Northern Rivers-based author Marele Day.
Joining these literary legends will be international guests include Booker Prize-longlisted debut novelist Gabriel Krauze (UK), investigative journalist Anke Richter (NZ) and Dr Robert Waldinger (USA), Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Zen Priest and one of the directors of the longest study of happiness in the world. Also travelling to the festival is Heat author Jeff Goodell (USA), writer, journalist and broadcaster Hayley Campbell (UK), and UK-based Albanian author Lea Ypi.
Special, separately ticketed events within the festival include the ‘Wild Imagination’ keynote event where Grace Tame, Gabriel Krauze, Kevin Jared Hosein, Jess Scully and Ellen van Neerven unleash their imaginations to envision possibilities for our future. This keynote event at the Imaginarium in Bangalow’s A&I Hall on Friday evening also features a special performance by Emily Lubitz and Janet Swain with the After The Flood Choir. On Saturday night ‘Voices in the Wild’ presents fresh, powerful voices for a cabaret of spoken word with Maxine Beneba Clarke, Madison Godfrey, Miles Merrill, Sarah Temporal, Jo Yang and the winners of two Poetry Slams held during the festival.
Thirsty for more? There’s plenty more happening at Byron Writers Festival. The full program for Byron Writers Festival is now live. Buy your tickets here.
