Overview
Heading down the coast? Don't forget a good book. But perhaps it's time to take things a step or two further, as the return of the Sorrento Writers Festival gives you the chance to hear from some of Australia's and the world's most respected writers and thinkers. Taking over multiple standout venues in the beachside towns of Sorrento and Portsea from Thursday, April 23–Sunday, April 26, over 200 speakers are involved at this year's event.
Stacked with leading playwrights, poets, journalists, academics, researchers, performers and artists, the Sorrento Writers Festival returns at something of a contentious time for literary events. You might recall that Adelaide Writers' Week and the Bendigo Writers Festival were cancelled after a mass withdrawal of authors over censorship concerns. Yet Sorrento Writers Festival founder and director Corrie Perkin says the festival remains committed to the value that shaped it.
"In recent months, we've seen arts festivals around the world grapple with controversy, threats and upheaval. This motivates us to stay focused. Now, more than ever, we want audiences to feel empowered and inspired, and we want them to be reminded of the positive impact of deep thinking and long-form conversation," explains Perkin. "I truly believe right now there is no better catalyst for community connectedness than a writers' festival."
To do so, the festival brings a sprawling lineup of big-name guests to the coast, including writers and commentators such as Helen Garner, A.C. Grayling, Samah Sabawi, Ben Crowe and Bob Brown. Meanwhile, the Sorrento Writers Festival makes space for local and international journalists and media academics, with the likes of Annabel Crabb, John Lyons, Chris Kohler, Barrie Cassidy and Geraldine Brooks delving into contentious hot-button topics.
Looking a little deeper at the program, highlights include Meet the Food Writers, featuring cookbook author Julia Busuttil Nishimura and ABC Arts presenter and author Virginia Trioli. Also exploring the world of food, In Conversation: Melissa Leong sees the former MasterChef Australia judge on stage with writer Jane Hone. Then, Melbourne's Best Interiors sees interiors and architecture experts Stephen Crafti and Kristine Slawinski chat beautiful buildings.
Spanning the worlds of journalism and fiction, From News to Narrative: How Three Journalists Became Novelists explores the careers of Michael Brissenden, Paul Daley and Rebecca Armitage, while Social Media: Force For Good Or Engine Of Division brings together Richard King, Ruby Kraner-Tucci, Clare Stephens and Thomas Mayo to discuss how our phones and laptops amplify and alienate with unpredictable results.
Sorrento Writers Festival is taking place across multiple venues in Sorrento and Portsea from Thursday, April 23–Sunday, April 26. Head to the website for tickets and more information.
Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.