Be enlightened, entertained and inspired at the Brisbane Writers Festival
From humble beginnings in 1962, the Warana Writers Convention, as it was then known, featured just six sessions over one day. Nowadays, the Brisbane Writers Festival has flourished to become a seminal literary event that brings together over 200 internationally renowned writers, thinkers and opinion makers to entertain, enlighten and inspire. This year, the line-up is stronger than ever with science guru Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, human rights barrister, activist and author Geoffrey Robertson Q.C. and New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth all gracing the program.
Literary lovers, your time has arrived – the much-loved Brisbane Writers Festival will once again take over the State Library of Queensland and QAGOMA from September 6–9 to dish up a scholarly smorgasbord of presentations, workshops and discussions for you to devour. This year’s theme is the thought-provoking and challenging proposition of what the world needs now, so it’s guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing. All manner of far-reaching ideas will be up for discussion – from raising teens to ending epidemics, the festival is a deep-dive into all facets of the world examined through the art of writing.
Thirsty for more? You’re in luck because we, dear readers, have the program hot off the press. The Festival kicks off with the aforementioned Geoffrey Robertson Q.C. talking about his new book Rather His Own Man. Bestselling author of the Divergent series Veronica Roth will be a highlight for many with a one-off cosplay themed event featuring live music and great food, while Lauren Weisberger (of The Devil Wears Prada fame) will fill us in her new book When Life Gives you Lululemons at an intimate pre-festival event at Gerard’s Bistro. Irvine Welsh takes readers back into the Trainspotting world with his latest book Dead Men’s Trousers. Fans of Channel 10’s The Bachelor Australia can catch Osher Gunsberg chatting men’s mental health alongside Joe Williams and Sam Maguire, those interested in politics can see the very real and raw Jacqui Lambie in conversation with Peter Greste, and the legendary Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will bring the Festival to fitting conclusion with a stirring closing address.
As always, Brisbane Writers Festival presents a range of free events alongside ticketed events – to take a peek at the whole program or to nab yourself some tickets, jump over here.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
