The Brisbane Writers Festival’s festivities kick off with First Word on Friday May 7, which will be delivered by award-winning writer of Mununjali Yugambeh (Southeast Queensland) and Dutch heritage, Ellen van Neerven. This will be followed by the (almost sold out!) Marion Taylor Opening Night Gala, where magnetic non-fiction writer Robert Dessaix will give a word to the wise in his lyrical, inimitable style. The weekend brings more weird and wonderful events, such as Darkness is Golden with psychologist and founder of The Indigo Project, Mary Hoang. In this immersive session Mary will lead a death meditation, a Buddhist meditation practice where participants will be guided through their own death and that of a loved one.

Grab some popcorn as Saturday May 8 will see a screening of the film 2040 come to Palace Cinemas at The Barracks, followed by a Q&A session with the documentary’s filmmaker Damon Gameau. If you still haven’t booked anything in for Mother’s Day on Sunday May 9, grab the leading lady in your life and stroll over to Customs House for a tastebud-tempting high tea with international best-selling author Kate Morton – just make haste, as tickets are selling out quick sticks! The festival will end with a Closing Address from the inquisitive mind of investigative journalist Christine Jackman, who will encourage us to seek moments of quiet in our frantic world and make us question – where to from here?  Finally, following their First Word, Ellen van Neerven will deliver the Last Word, providing a First Nations perspective on important themes and ideas from festival conversations, as well as looking ahead to 2022’s milestone 60th anniversary event.

This is just a small taste of the brain-stimulating goodness that is Brisbane Writers Festival – to peep the entire program and score tickets, head to the BWF website.