5 minute read
World of Words / Kupu o te Ao
World of Words
Kupu o te Ao
World of Words is a celebration of voices, ideas, creativity and the spoken word. This extremely popular festival gem has a newly revamped home for 2019, along with an exciting line-up that now extends into the evening. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Kunming Garden, alongside an upmarket bar, World of Words features an inspiring collection of awardwinning thinkers, authors, comedians, poets and photographers. Sponsored by the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), World of Words is a must-see part of WOMAD.
Elizabeth Smither
Elizabeth Smither is a multi-award-winning New Zealand poet, novelist and short story writer. Her numerous collections of poetry have been published alongside several novels and short story collections. In 2002 she was named the Te Mata Poet Laureate, and in 2018 her collection Night Horse won the poetry category of the 50th Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Fans should also keep their eyes peeled for Elizabeth’s new novel, Loving Sylvie, to be published this April
Fri, 6.15pm, Kunming Stage
Sonya Renee Taylor
Sonya Renee Taylor is a bestselling author, activist and the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, a digital media and education company that examines the intersections of radical self-love and social justice issues. Sonya has shared her awardwinning performance poetry and transformational work on countless stages and on major media outlets all over the world. She continues to perform, speak, and facilitate workshops globally.
Fri, 8.15pm, Kunming Stage
Neil Silverwood and Marcus Thomas
Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood are the team behind one of the most handsome books published in 2017, Caves: Exploring New Zealand’s Subterranean Wilderness. The book delivers a treat for cavers and non-cavers alike by showcasing the beauty of this country’s underground caverns and the mettle of those who explore them. This book won an Ockham award and images within earned Neil the New Zealand Geographic 2017 Photographer of the Year Award.
Fri, 10.30pm, Te Paepae Stage
John Tamihere has been one of our more colourful and provocative politicians (and broadcasters) over the last couple of decades. John lead Te Whānau o Waipareira as CEO and is also CEO of Te Pou Matakana (TPM), the North Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency in New Zealand. John will discuss the concepts of Whānau Ora family wellbeing and how it is a catalyst for positive change.
Sat, 12pm, Te Paepae Stage
Pip Adam
When she’s not busy writing award-winning novels or reviewing books on Radio New Zealand, Pip Adam can be found facilitating writing workshops in communities and universities. Her works include a collection of short stories, the novel I’m Working on a Building, and her second novel, The New Animals, which won the $50,000 Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize at the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
Sat, 2pm, Kunming Stage
Mac Macartney
Mac is an international speaker, writer and change-maker. Hear from him as he shares his research into the period of history that initiated the collapse of Britain, Ireland, and Europe’s indigenous spiritual tradition. He recounts the dreaming journey he undertook in the freezing winter of 2009 when he walked from Malvern to the Isle of Anglesey and delved into the memory of valleys, mountains and meadows that were once known to be sacred.
Sat, 2pm, Te Paepae Stage
Michael Donaldson is the award-winning author of Beer Nation – the Art and Heart of Kiwi Beer, and The Big Book of Home Brewing – a Kiwi Guide. As the editor of Pursuit of Hoppiness magazine, and a chair of judges for the New World Beer & Cider Awards, Michael and his taste buds are at the forefront of what’s hot in the beer world.
Sat, 6.15pm, Kunming Stage
Hōtaka Kupu o te Ao
WORLD OF WORDS SCHEDULE
DATE & TIME WHO STAGE
Fri, 6.15pm Elizabeth Smither Kunming Fri, 8.15pm Sonya Renee Taylor Kunming
Fri, 10.30pm Visual Showcase Subterranean: Marcus Thomas & Neil Silverwood Te Paepae
Sat, 12pm John Tamihere Te Paepae Sat, 2pm Pip Adam Kunming Sat, 2pm Mac Macartney Te Paepae Sat, 4pm Poetry Slam 1/2 Kunming Sat, 6.15pm Michael Donaldson Kunming Sat, 9.30pm Penny Ashton Late night comedy Kunming Sun, 12pm Marama Mullen Kunming Sun, 2pm Nick Bollinger Kunming Sun, 4pm Poetry Slam 2/2 Kunming Sun, 6.30pm Danny KilBride Kunming Sun, 8.45pm Michèle A’Court Kunming
Late night comedy
Penny Ashton
Poet, comedienne, actor, TV presenter, improviser, and all round show off Penny Ashton is back to host Poetry Slam at WOMAD. Known as Ms Hot Pink, Penny is often found gallivanting around the world with her trademark red hair, clutching a microphone and busting out sassy rhymes.
Sat, 9.30pm, Kunming Stage – late night comedy
Marama Mullen
In 1993 Marama Mullen contracted HIV from Peter Mwai. She was part of the case against him and had a long road to recovery in the wake of the trial and her diagnosis. Since then she has cofounded a support organisation, spoken at the UN and the World Health Organisation, and has received the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to HIV.
Sun, 12pm, Kunming Stage
Nick Bollinger
Nick Bollinger worked as a postie and trained as a teacher before finding an outlet for his musical obsession as a journalist and Photo: RNZ critic. His latest book, Goneville, is a coming-of-age story and an intimate look at the evolving music scene in 1970s New Zealand. It shows how music intersected — sometimes violently — with the prevailing culture, in which real men played rugby, not rock.
Sun, 2pm, Kunming Stage
Danny KilBride
Playing his first gig at age nine Danny has since toured internationally and recorded over 20 albums. Danny will discuss why in 1998 he founded “trac” the development agency for traditional music in Wales. Exploring the challenges, opportunities and the benefits for artists working in the traditional music environment and what role this plays in the preservation and revitalisation of the Welsh language.
Sun, 6.30pm, Kunming Stage
Michèle A’Court
Stand-up comedian Michèle A’Court has been on TV screens since 1987 and still manages to turn up all over the place. She’s an MC, an entertainer, an actor, a voice artist and a writer. Following on from her hit first book Stuff I Forgot to Tell My Daughter, her second book How We Met is about how real people fall in love and how storytelling helps them stay in love.
