The Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival 2015...

By Alexandra Bligh | Posted:

built on the success of the inaugural festival in 2014 and has secured its place on the Dunedin events calendar. 

Attendees were treated to nearly 40 events over 6 days, including many free events such as the DWRF literary lunch series. Sell-out and capacity events included the Story-time train to Port Chalmers library for kids, the Slam Poetry competition and the mass book launch “Chain Reaction” at the historic Athenaeum library. Additional writers’ workshops for young adults and adults were slotted in to match the demand. 

International guests such as memoirists Damian Barr and Helen Macdonald, cookbook writer Stephanie Alexander, Guardian journalist Nick Davies, novelist Zia Haider Rahmann, actress Rebecca Vaughan performing “Dalloway”, and classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes enlightened and inspired audiences. Much loved NZ writers included Witi himaera, Patricia Grace and Emily Perkins. Non-fiction afficianados were catered for with subjects as diverse as sustainable living, gardening, tramping, and essay writing.

Championing its own authors, Dunedin, New Zealand’s UNESCO City of Literature, drew on a wealth of literary talent including resident crime writers Paddy Richardson, Liam McKillvanny, Rogelio Guedea and Vanda Symon.

Poetry in the Pub showcased local poets Louise Wallace, Peter Olds, Kay Mckenzie Cook and Mexican born Rogelio Guedea.

Dunedin showed off its architectural heritage during the Festival with beautiful venues including the Regent Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Toitu Settlers Museum, the Glenroy Auditorium and the Athenaeum.

Organisers are busy planning for DWRF’s next festival in 2017, along with occasional events in the off-year.