The 'revelation' that was Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival

By New Zealand Book Council | Posted:

The 2019 Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival (May 9-12) was a special one. The Book Council was thrilled to be involved with Friday night's Gala Showcase event, featuring an excellent line up of international and NZ guests exploring the theme distracted, in particular, guarding creative space amid today’s digital noise. On stage were: John Boyne (Ireland), Markus Zusak (Australia), Clementine Ford (Australia), Akala (UK), Tina Makereti (NZ) and Chris Tse (NZ), and MC Michèle A’Court.

Programme director Claire Finlayson shared some images from the Gala Showcase, and we liked them so much we wanted to share them with you!

All photos were taken by Sharron Bennett.

As for further comments about the festival, perhaps two of the shiniest bits of feedback from the DWRF 2019 authors’ corner will suffice:

Markus Zusak: “It’s a wonderful festival – I’m so happy to have been part of it. If in future you would ever have me back, I’d jump at it. I love it here.”

Then on his Facebook page, Markus wrote: “The Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival: More a revelation than a festival.”

Michèle A’Court: “Thank you a million times over for such a great weekend. That is a perfect festival - small enough to feel like you can wrap your arms around the whole thing, big enough to feed the soul. And what an incredible team you have. I felt so welcome and appreciated, and loved every second of it.”

Podcasts taken from a range of festival events are now available for your listening pleasure. Click here to browse the recordings on offer.

Bravo, Dunedin Festival!

See full article and images here