This Just In: Melbourne Writers Festival Releases Full 40th Anniversary Program Including Jacinda Ardern, Yann Martel, Susan Choi and More
For its 40th run, Melbourne Writers Festival is inviting speakers from around the world to shine a light on storytelling, sex, stigma and the many visions and revisions that make up the human world.
Returning to the autumnal part of the year means the return of multiple annual festivities, but for the creatively, politically and philosophically inclined, few of those can top Melbourne Writers Festival — which will be celebrating its 40th birthday when it returns to town this May. Organised under the theme of 'Visions & Revisions', Melbourne will be treated to events from over 150 artists and authors between Thursday, May 7 and Sunday, May 10.
So who's on the headline bill? On day one, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be joined by Virginia Trioli at Melbourne Town Hall to offer her perspective on leadership in times of crisis. Later that evening, the previously announced headline event from Yellowface author R.F. Kuang discussing her new work, plus peril, power and speculative fiction, will take place, also at Melbourne Town Hall.
Susan Choi - photograph by Laura Bianchi
Other notable and bestselling authors are shared with the upcoming Sydney Writers Festival, often the case due to the two events' close proximity in timing. You'll be able to hear from the likes of David Szalay (Flesh), Yann Martel (Life of Pi, Son of Nobody), Susan Choi (Flashlight), Michael Pedersen (Muckle Flugga), Genki Kawamura (If Cats Dissapeared from the World, One Hundred Flowers and the upcoming film Exit 8), Mieko Kawamaki (Breasts and Eggs, Sisters in Yellow) and more — all of whom will be discussing their latest works, inspirations and impacts with hosts and close friends.
For reflections of current events on the peoples of the world, you can listen to Ukrainian-Canadian Author Maria Reva, discussing her debut novel written in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Palestinian writer Tareq Baconi sharing his memoir Fire in Every Direction, which chronicles three generations of displacement through love, political awakenings and queer self-discovery.
Tareq Baconi
Canadian writer, podcaster and political commentator David Moscrop will examine the current political landscape and whether our caveman-based brains have what it takes to handle the digital age we've created. Poetry lovers can't miss events featuring Nikita Gill, discussing her new coming-of-age spin on Greek mythology in Hekate: The Witch, and Ariana Reines reflecting on her two releases and how they probe the viscera of life and its many emotions, sensations and motivations.
Another highlight this year is a creative exchange between MWF and the Toronto International Festival of Authors — the Festival of Indigenous Stories. This collaboration welcomes Indigenous writers from Canada and Australia for three highlight festival events to explore global Indigeneity, relationships with land and water, and the multiplicity of First Nations storytelling in both countries.
And it's not just international guests — local artists and figures on the bill include Antoinette Lattouf, Grace Tame, Stephanie Alexander, Alice Zaslavsky, Barrie Cassidy, Sean Kelly, Madison Griffiths, Benjamin Stevenson, Kayla Jade and Dee Salmin. They'll discuss everything from Australia's place in geopolitics and iconic cookbooks to the evolving shape of sex and relationships, the rise of independent media in the age of consolidation, and the ongoing impacts of AI worldwide.
Festival Director Veronica Sullivan said, "Since 1986, MWF has been shaped and sustained by countless visions. Whether contributing as artists, audiences, volunteers or supporters — many hands, hearts, pens and minds have forged the festival's legacy."
"You'll hear from bestsellers, prize winners and electric new voices in fiction, poetry and memoir; from our most trusted journalists and political commentators; and from local writers who have been inspired by our City of Literature. You'll be transported around the world; from the jungles of Borneo with Omar Musa, to a housing commission in Hungary with David Szalay, and to the very depths of Hell with R.F. Kuang."
Melbourne Writers Festival will take place at venues across the city from May 7–10. For the full program or to book tickets, visit the MWF website.
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