Australian First Nations writers and poets are centre stage at Byron Writers Festival this weekend, with the three-day event beginning Friday, 9 August.
Australia's largest regional writers festival, the event explores the theme of "From the ground up", featuring Bronwyn Bancroft, Wayne Bergmann, Tony Birch, Daniel Browning, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Jane Harrison, Delta Kay, Melissa Lucashenko, Amy McQuire, Jazz Money, Rhoda Roberts, Mykaela Saunders, Steph Tisdell, Nicky Winmar and many more.
In keeping with this year's NAIDOC theme 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud', First Nations writers are centre stage at the Festival.
The event features a line-up of brilliant Indigenous writers and storytellers, with a large contingent of local Bundjalung voices joining the festival to discuss everything from politics, history, creativity, the environment, and family. The stories of Australia's eminent and emerging First Nations writers will be at the forefront of the festival held on Arakwal Bumberbin country of the Bundjalung Nation, where stories have been told for thousands of years.
Respected Bundjalung guests include bestselling author Melissa Lucashenko; Traditional Owner Delta Kay who will take part in the session 'Wisdom of The Elders'; writer and broadcaster Daniel Browning (Close to the Subject); award-winning speculative fiction writer Mykaela Saunders (Always Will Be); acclaimed chef and restaurateur Mindy Woods (Karkalla at Home); Ella Bancroft and Dr Bronwyn Bancroft who will appear together in the session 'Mothers'; local hip hop artist Mitch King; and creative powerhouse Rhoda Roberts who will share the stories behind her one woman show 'My Cousin Frank' premiering with local theatre company NORPA in August. Roberts will also take part in the session 'Aboriginal Sporting Legends'.
Byron Writers Festival Board Member, editor and writer Grace Lucas-Pennington, said the Festival program is "a testament to the strength and joy in First Nations storytelling today".
"I see lots of connection to the NAIDOC theme 'Keep the fire burning', each of our stories an ember of the endless fire that has burned here for millennia. I am excited for Festival audiences who will have the opportunity to hear from so many incredible First Nations voices stretching across the continent, in all our diversity and pride," she said.
AFL legend and Noongar man Nicky Winmar will share how his proud and defining stand against racism on the playing field 30 years ago continues to resonate today, and brilliant Aboriginal Affairs journalist and author of Black Witness Amy McQuire will examine 'Press Freedom', take part in the festival's keynote event 'From the ground up' and discuss 'First Nations Justice' in a panel moderated by lawyer and co-host of Blackfulla Bookclub Merinda Dutton.
Nyikina man, lawyer and community and business leader Wayne Bergmann has been advocating for Indigenous rights and self-determination in the Kimberley for more than 24 years. At Byron Writers Festival, Bergmann will discuss his memoir Some People Want to Shoot Me as well as taking part in the panel 'Wisdom of the Elders' with celebrated playwright Jane Harrison.
Bruce Pascoe and his partner Lyn Harwood will share the lessons they have learnt from working their farm Yumburra as well as the impact Dark Emu has had on their lives. Pascoe will also discuss his new novel Imperial Harvest.
Tony Birch will discuss his latest novel Women and Children and take part in the panel 'The Archeology of Memory'. Cheryl Leavy will keep little ones enthralled with Yanga Mother, a timely and poetic celebration of motherhood and First Nations languages.
Comedian, actor and debut novelist Steph Tisdell (The Skin I'm In) and Graham Akhurst (Borderland) discussing 'Coming of Age Stories'. Broadcaster Rhianna Patrick will host several sessions at the festival including conversations with Graham Akhurst and Mykaela Saunders for the High Schools program.
First Nations poets weave strong threads throughout the 2024 Byron Writers Festival program including esteemed poet Ali Cobby Eckermann who recently won the prestigious NSW Premier's Book of the Year Award, multidisciplinary artist Jazz Money with her highly anticipated new collection of poetry Mark the Dawn being released in August; and Australian Poetry Slam Champion Rob Waters, editor of The Rocks Remain, Karen Wyld, and poet and musician Nicole Smede. As well as 'Electric Poetics' evening feature event, this year's festival features a Poetry Walk where audiences are invited to walk between different sites in the Bangalow Showground festival grounds to hear poets recite their work.
Byron Writers Festival is proud to offer fully-subsidised MobTix for three-day, one-day and Kids Big Day Out festival passes, supported by The Vasudhara Fund.
Held on the lands of the Arakwal Bumberbin peoples of the Bundjalung Nation, the Festival organisers pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands and acknowledge them as the original storytellers of the region.
This year's Byron Writers Festival is at the Bangalow Showground in the hinterland town of Bangalow, 15 minutes from Byron Bay on beautiful Bundjalung Country. Free shuttle buses operate daily from Byron Bay.
