byronwritersfestival.com 4-6 August 2017
Welcome to the 2017 Byron Writers Festival! The Festival team are proud to introduce this thought-provoking lineup of more than 130 writers and thinkers whose works are destined to inspire, educate, divert and sometimes even disturb. These masters of storytelling will unfold new horizons, entertain and deliver poignant and powerful memories. The wide-ranging program is destined to engage you in enlightening discussions throughout 117 sessions at the Festival site at Elements of Byron. Those conversations will continue to amplify and resonate throughout the Feature Events and Writing Workshops, which together comprise this year’s Festival. Our writers and commentators will bring to life the observation of respected philosopher A C Grayling (a regular Byron Bay visitor) whose insight into books and reading informs this year’s program: To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage, which gives a view over
wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries. Once again, we will celebrate the importance of reading for children: the pathway to all learning. Sunday is Kids Big Day Out: a major drawcard for families in the region, a chance to make favourite stories come alive and to meet some of Australia’s most talented children’s writers. Our thanks to the Byron Shire community for your immensely enthusiastic support of the Festival. We wouldn’t be able to stage the Festival without the friendly, dedicated support of more than 200 volunteers, who always receive an avalanche of praise from Festivalgoers, authors and industry professionals alike. Sincere appreciation also to the writers, commentators and performers whose energising creativity will surely affect us all. The Festival is supported by nearly 100 individual
Edwina Johnson, Festival Director. Photo Kate Holmes
Jennifer St George, Chair, Byron Writers Festival.
patrons and organisations that add such richness and community spirit to our Festival week. Without their generous support, we would be unable to bring you this
passionate advocacy and involvement in the Festival – an Order of Australia Medal and Byron Shire’s Citizen of the Year Australia Day award. On behalf of the team,
literary feast. Thanks too to Chris Hanley, the Festival founder, honoured this year with two prestigious awards for his longstanding
we warmly invite you to join us in our beautiful coastal town to be a part of the 21st Byron Writers Festival, and be transported – Where Stories Take You.
Three days of storytelling in plenty of space Three days of storytelling, debate, and big ideas in one of the world’s most beautiful coastal settings. At Byron Writers Festival (4–6 August) more than 130 writers and thinkers will converge on the Festival site at Elements resort to celebrate all things literary. Byron Writers Festival is set up a bit like a music festival, with six stages (four marquees, two indoor spaces).
You can move between spaces as you please, discovering a diverse program of panel discussions, debates,
conversations and Q&A’s. Our guest writers’ works span a huge variety of topics – fiction, art, relationships, the
environment, politics, philosophy, music, poetry and social issues – wherever your passions lie, Byron Writers
Photo Evan Malcolm
market and numerous café areas serving delicious food and drinks. The Festival has also partnered with local organisations to present a series of 20 satellite Feature Events and 13 workshops throughout Byron Bay and the wider Northern Rivers.
Festival has it covered. The Festival site features a bookstore, book signings, a sculpture walk, an artisan
• See essential information on getting to the Festival, parking, times and more on page 32.
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The Byron Shire Echo August 2, 2017 25