It’s the event that's been a decade in the making.
And now the tenth iteration of the Newcastle Writers Festival is just around the corner and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest and best yet.
In fact, this year’s celebration of all things literary boasts a stacked program of events featuring 120 writers including Norman Swan, Richard Fidler, Indira Naidoo, Amy Thunig, and Grace Tame.
There will be 70 ticketed and free events in the 2023 program, which will be presented in venues within the Civic Precinct including the Conservatorium of Music, NUspace, Watt Street Gallery and Playhouse. A couple of special events will also be held at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus.
Here are just a few events plucked from the huge program that we think are worth a look.
In Her Own Words: An Evening With Grace Tame
Civic Theatre
Friday 31 March
This opening night gala is sure to be one to remember.
2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, an advocate, survivor and now, author, will discuss her memoir The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner and the power of sharing stories in your own words, on your own terms.
Also, $5 from every ticket will be donated directly to the not-for-profit Grace Tame Foundation, which campaigns for and helps fund initiatives that aim to prevent sexual abuse of children and others.
10th Anniversary Celebration: Words and Music
Newcastle Conservatorium of Music Concert Hall
Saturday 1 April
A celebration of music, literature and the nature of inspiration.
Drawing on the work of Hunter writers and those who have featured in festival programs in the past decade, an eclectic lineup of songwriters and musicians such as The Pitts (pictured), Jacob Ridgeway, Amy Vee, Dave Wells, Bertie Blackman and more, will transform words from the page to the stage.
Russia If You’re Listening
University of Newcastle NuSpace
Sunday 2 April
The ABC’s Matt Bevan returns to the festival with a special presentation based on his hugely popular podcast.
Russia and Ukraine are at war. It’s a fight Vladimir Putin thought he couldn’t lose.
But when the Russian President ordered his soldiers to invade, he could not have anticipated that Ukrainian leader Volodimir Zelensky would step up to the challenge.
World Traveller: Richard Fidler In Conversation
Newcastle Conservatorium of Music Concert Hall
Saturday 1 April
Writer and broadcaster Richard Fidler discusses The Book of Roads & Kingdoms with Paul Bevan, which is inspired by the tales of medieval Arab and Persian travellers who ventured to the edges of the known world. He’ll discuss the ways in which the expansion of geographical frontiers shaped knowledge.
This event will also be live streamed.
The Newcastle Writers Festival is on from Friday 31 March to Sunday 2 April. Head here for a full program and more information.