Germaine Greer
A powerhouse in the field of feminist theory, Festival guest Germaine Greer will be delivering the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Keynote Address: Speaking Australian in addition to appearing in Friday Night Live, The Necessary Poet and In Conversation: Germaine Greer. Born in Melbourne, Germaine now divides her time between her property in Queensland and in the UK, where she holds an emeritus professorship in literature at the University of Warwick. Her seminal 1970 work The Female Eunuch established her international reputation, and her subsequent publications include The Obstacle Race, Sex and Destiny, Daddy We Hardly Knew You, The Change, Shakespeare's Wife and The Whole Woman.
Richard Holloway
Former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway is an acclaimed writer and respected thinker, who, after leaving his position as Bishop in 2000 built a reputation as an outspoken and controversial figure in religion. His memoir Leaving Alexandria has been described as ‘an erudite exploration of faith’ and ‘a candid and deeply moving account of his growing disillusionment with religion'. Now holding an agnostic worldview, Holloway has courted controversy through his support of progressive causes in the areas of sexuality, drugs and bioethics. He has authored more than 20 books, written for many British newspapers and presented several series for BBC television and radio.
Lyrical at The Toff
Held at The Toff in Town on Saturday 1 August, two unique performances will explore storytelling through song, as three celebrated songwriters showcase their work in an intimate show and tell. The afternoon session features ARIA award winning singer, songwriter and composer, David Bridie, poet Kate Fagan and narrative folk and experimental pop musician Eva Popov. The evening program features the gothic electro of Maria Minerva (UK), lounge-pop duo Fox + Sui and the sensual stylings of Lost Animal. To book your tickets and explore our range of music and performance events, click here.
Presented by Triple R and supported by APRA.
Culture at Yering
Held in the magnificent surrounds of Yering Station Winery in the Yarra Valley, three eminent writers reflect on how culture is faring in their corners of the world. Join former UK Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion, art critic Peter Schjeldahl (The New Yorker) and Lebanese poet and journalist Joumana Haddad for an unforgettable festival experience. Entry includes canapes and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. To find out more about this one-of-a-kind event, click here.
Women’s Voices
This year, Melbourne Writers Festival, with the support of Queen Victoria Women's Centre (QVWC), is bringing women’s voices to the fore. Join the QVWC as they host a breakfast with renowned Lebanese firebrand, poet and journalist Joumana Haddad or enjoy a light lunch with one of the world's foremost philosophers, Martha Nussbaum, professor of law and ethics at the University of Chicago. One of the most powerful figures in the area of feminist study, Germaine Greer, will deliver the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Keynote Address: Speaking Australian – an oration that will make you think seriously about our place in the world and the role that language plays in putting us there.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Whether you’re tackling a fiction masterpiece at the moment or haven’t written a story since leaving school, Melbourne Writers Festival has a range of events to suit any budding fiction writer. Also, the Festival hasn’t forgotten about the more non-fiction inclined. To investigate the rise in popularity of the creative nonfiction genre, researchers, journalists and memoir-enthusiasts have the opportunity to hear and learn from the genre’s pioneer Lee Gutkind. Professional Development workshops and seminars are an integral part of our program, fostering new creative talent and honing the skills of professional writers. For more information and bookings, click here.
