Celebrated as Australia's largest regional writers festival, in August the Byron Writers Festival will kick off for yet another year on August 9. 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, the 2024 festival is set to welcome Australia's top First Nations writers.
Exploring the theme of 'From the ground up', this years festival will feature not only an impressive line-up of Indigenous writers and storytellers, but also 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 – a place where stories have been told for tens of thousands of years.
Respected Bundjalung guests include bestselling author Melissa Lucashenko; Traditional Owner Delta Kay; writer and broadcaster Daniel Browning; award-winning speculative fiction writer Mykaela Saunders acclaimed chef and restaurateur Mindy Woods Aboriginal Sporting Legends' chaired by Koori Mail chief executive officer Naomi Moran and many more.
Writer, editor and Byron Writers Festival board member, Grace Lucas-Pennington, shared her excitement about being able to welcome both established and emerging writers to the stage, whilst also celebrating this year's NAIDOC theme of 'Keep the fire burning'.
"The 2024 Byron Writers 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," she said.
"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."
Amy McQuire, Wayne Bergmann, Ali Cobby Eckerman. (Image: supplied)
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.
Nyikina man, lawyer and 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 powerful memoir 'Some People Want to Shoot Me' as well as taking part in the panel 'Wisdom of the Elders' with celebrated playwright Jane Harrison.
Being Australia's largest and leading regional meeting place of storytelling, literature and ideas, the annual Byron Writers Festival is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and for delivering a diverse program of panels and conversations that celebrate storytelling in a variety of forms.
Byron Writers Festival 2024 will be held at the Bangalow Showground in the hinterland town of Bangalow, 15 minutes from Byron Bay. Free shuttle buses will be operating daily from Byron Bay.
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