Brisbane Writers Festival brings together more than 200 writers
Published Wednesday, 17 September, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Brisbane is playing host to more than 200 writers from around the world with the annual Brisbane Writers Festival starting today.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the five-day festival would feature an exciting line-up of conversations, interviews, master classes and readings.
“The Brisbane Writers Festival, now in its 12th year, features all genres with real drawcards such as Man Booker prize winner Yann Martel and best-selling author Kate Grenville,” Mr Welford said.
“I welcome all writers to the festival’s hub at the State Library of Queensland in our redeveloped Cultural Centre.
“In addition to master classes and readings, I am pleased to see the Brisbane Writers Festival confront challenging topics of our time with sessions on ethics, climate change, and personal stories from the war in Iraq.”
Mr Welford said the Queensland Government contributed $250,000 to this year’s festival.
“Arts Queensland has worked closely with the festival organisers to present two panels particularly relevant to Queensland,” he said.
“Artistic Interventions examines the far reaching and complex implications of the global interest in Australian Indigenous art, while Viz-pop: Design and Inspiration in Print explores what is on the design horizon and why design is a natural fit for Queensland.”
Mr Welford also congratulated the three winners of the Arts Queensland-funded awards announced at last night’s Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards.
“My best wishes go to David Malouf for Typewriter Music, winner of the Poetry Collection – Arts Queensland Judith Wright Calanthe Award for $15,000; John Hughes for Someone Else, winner of the Australian Short Story – Arts Queensland Steele Rudd Award for $15,000; and Marie Munkara for Every Secret Thing, winner of the Unpublished Indigenous Writer – the David Unaipon Award for $15,000.”
The Brisbane Writers Festival continues until 21 September. For information and tickets visit www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the five-day festival would feature an exciting line-up of conversations, interviews, master classes and readings.
“The Brisbane Writers Festival, now in its 12th year, features all genres with real drawcards such as Man Booker prize winner Yann Martel and best-selling author Kate Grenville,” Mr Welford said.
“I welcome all writers to the festival’s hub at the State Library of Queensland in our redeveloped Cultural Centre.
“In addition to master classes and readings, I am pleased to see the Brisbane Writers Festival confront challenging topics of our time with sessions on ethics, climate change, and personal stories from the war in Iraq.”
Mr Welford said the Queensland Government contributed $250,000 to this year’s festival.
“Arts Queensland has worked closely with the festival organisers to present two panels particularly relevant to Queensland,” he said.
“Artistic Interventions examines the far reaching and complex implications of the global interest in Australian Indigenous art, while Viz-pop: Design and Inspiration in Print explores what is on the design horizon and why design is a natural fit for Queensland.”
Mr Welford also congratulated the three winners of the Arts Queensland-funded awards announced at last night’s Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards.
“My best wishes go to David Malouf for Typewriter Music, winner of the Poetry Collection – Arts Queensland Judith Wright Calanthe Award for $15,000; John Hughes for Someone Else, winner of the Australian Short Story – Arts Queensland Steele Rudd Award for $15,000; and Marie Munkara for Every Secret Thing, winner of the Unpublished Indigenous Writer – the David Unaipon Award for $15,000.”
The Brisbane Writers Festival continues until 21 September. For information and tickets visit www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336