The Tattooist of Auschwitz has sold over three million copies worldwide and the recently published sequel, Cilka’s Story, is also a global bestseller. Both books blend fiction with fact. Heather Morris talks with Juliet Rieden about memory, history and how to respect both when writing historical fiction.
The inimitable Simon Winchester turns the microphone around on beloved broadcaster Richard Fidler and interviews him on the magical city that is Prague. From its origins in medieval darkness, via the Velvet Revolution, to an uncertain present, this is an unmissable conversation between two passionate storytellers.
Gloria Steinem calls herself a ‘hopeaholic’. More than ever, the world needs unbiased hope for the future. From New York, the iconic feminist shares personal challenges, political issues and the poetry of everyday life with Dr Kirstin Ferguson.
Peter Read and Dennis Foley explore the history of Aboriginal Sydney and paint a vivid picture of what it was like to grow up Aboriginal in Sydney, alongside the colonists, from 1788 to the present and give an honest account of the disappointment, pain and terror experienced by Sydney’s First Peoples and a celebration of the survival of their spirit.
In July, just days before launching the 2021 program, the Canberra Writers Festival announced the festival’s postponement to Spring. However, the ongoing lockdowns mean that the festival cannot proceed this year.
Festival Director, Paul Donohoe and Artistic Director, Jeanne Ryckmans said we would never risk the health and safety of our audience and artists and ongoing uncertainty makes it doubtful that we could hold the festival at any time in what remains of 2021.
We are not deflated. Indeed, the outpouring of goodwill from our supporters and the community propels us on to planning the next Canberra Writers' Festival in August 2022.
The festival depends on support from our partners and sponsors. They have been steadfast at every turn, and we are deeply grateful for their continued loyalty. Our thanks go to every author, moderator, publicist, publisher, and our booksellers for their belief and participation in the festival.
We look forward to welcoming everyone when it is safe for us to gather again.
