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Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival 2021

With enormous pleasure, we present you with this, the 2021 Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival programme.  ​Inside, you’ll find a wealth of Aotearoa’s literary gold, with our spotlight focused squarely on our homegrown writers. While this came about through pandemic-related necessity,... Read more…

Story Time Double Decker Bus

Climb aboard the Story Time Double Decker Bus for a Sunday morning adventure with your wee ones, with stories galore read by Kathryn van Beek, Melissa Boardman, Emma Wood, and Swapna Haddow. The trip will include story-telling stops  at the... Read more…

Decolonisation ​Activating Allies

Decolonisation is a term that stirs emotion - it alarms some, and gives hope to others. It is an uncomfortable and often bewildering concept for many New Zealanders.

Rebecca Kiddle and Amanda Thomas are contributing authors... Read more…

Writing for Children

Conveying a simple yet captivating story to children is a skill. Robyn Belton and David Elliot join Kyle Mewburn to revel in the pleasure of writing for children and what they’ve learned along the way. Tickets: https://www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/2021-writing-for-children.htmlDunedin Public Art Gallery Read more…

A Posse of Poets

Four top-notch poets take to the mic to read some of their latest work: Fiona Farrell, Jessica Thompson Carr, Victor Billot, and Rhian Gallagher. Jasmine Taylor, from The Octagon Collective, will direct proceedings and keep them in line.  ​



https://www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/2021-a-posse-of-poets.htmlDunedin Public Art Gallery Read more…

Politics of Poetry

For centuries, poetry has played an important role in both recording cultural events and reflecting the mood of the people.  David Eggleton, Jessica Thompson Carr, and Fiona Farrell will share perspectives on the politics inherent in poetry. Chaired by Emma Neale, they will examine the way poetry enables debate, and how it can subvert and challenge societal views to effect change.  Tickets: https://www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/2021-politics-of-poetry.htmlDunedin Public Art... Read more…

Girl in the Mirror

Rose Carlyle, who shot to literary fame with her debut novel, The Girl in the Mirror, will talk to Phillippa Duffy about what happens to a story when a book is snapped up by Hollywood. ​https://www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz/2021-girl-in-the-mirror.htmlDunedin Public Art Gallery Read more…

Placing Fantasy Inside the Real World

Elizabeth Knox, acclaimed author of many novels, including The Vintner’s Luck and, most recently, The Absolute Book, will unpick the meanings and implications, the whys and wherefores, of placing a ‘fantasy’ world inside the ‘real’... Read more…

Literary Walking Tours

CITY LITERARY WALKING TOURJoin Beverly Martens (owner of Dunedin Literary Walking Tours) for a fascinating and entertaining guided central city walk. Hear stories about well-known New Zealand writers; discover key sites in Dunedin’s rich literary... Read more…

TWISTY PLOTS YOUNG WRITERS DROP-IN WORKSHOPS

Inspiration from award-winning novelist, playwright and script writer Ella West. One-on-one help and advice for primary and secondary school pupils, or just sit and write in the company of a published children’s author – Ella will... Read more…

Song Poet’s Corner

Presented by #TheFutureIsNow, singer-songwriter Jae Bedford joins forces with Poet Matthew Robertson for a night of creative expression. The evening will feature a songwriting challenge with audience participation. Gig Hub, Ground floor, City LibraryFREE Read more…

Kōrerorero - Arielle Walker

Kōrerorero with us! Over two days Arielle Walker will be present at Blue Oyster weaving, reading poetry, and holding space for visitors to kōrero with her in her exhibition distance rewoven from the roots... Read more…