Tag: Literary festival
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Hal Wake: A Cornerstone of Canadian Letters and Vancouver’s Literary Scene
Introduction: Remembering a literary pillar Hal Wake, the former head of the Vancouver Writers Fest, is remembered as a towering and influential figure in Canadian books. With a white mane and a Santa Claus beard, he became a recognizable presence on Granville Island, where the festival took root and grew into a respected national platform…
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Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 Cancelled Amid Backlash Over Randa Abdel-Fattah Disinvitation
Overview: A Festival in Turmoil The much-anticipated Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 has been cancelled following days of upheaval, with more than 180 authors and speakers withdrawing in response to the decision to disinvite Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. The move, which was announced after years of collaboration between the festival and the author, reignited debates about…
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Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 Canceled as Backlash Over Randa Abdel-Fattah Decision Intensifies
Overview: The Cancellation and Its Context The Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 has been abruptly canceled following days of upheaval and widespread withdrawal from speakers and attendees. The abrupt turn came after the festival’s decision to disinvite Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, the festival’s board apologized for the way the…
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Adelaide Writers’ Week cancels amid furor over Palestinian author’s axing
Introduction The Adelaide Writers’ Week, a cornerstone of Australia’s literary calendar, has been cancelled following ongoing controversy surrounding the cancellation of a scheduled appearance by a prominent Australian‑Palestinian activist and author. The decision, announced amid mounting public and professional pressure, marks a rare and high‑profile escalation in the debate over free expression, censorship, and the…
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Adelaide Writers’ Week Fallout: Ardern Pulls Out Amid Abdel-Fattah Controversy
Headline Fallout Shakes Adelaide Writers’ Week The Adelaide Writers’ Week saga intensified as former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced she would not attend the 2026 festival. Her withdrawal follows the festival board’s controversial decision to rescind its invitation to Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, a move that sparked a torrent of online and on-site…
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Controversy at Adelaide Writers’ Festival: Federal Minister Backs Axing Palestinian Author
Overview of the Controversy A federal cabinet minister has publicly supported the decision to remove a Palestinian-Australian author from the Adelaide Writers’ Festival, a move that has ignited intense debate across the literary community and political spectrum. The announcement comes as several festival board members resigned in the wake of the decision, and dozens of…
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Adelaide Writers’ Week in turmoil as boycott grows after Randa Abdel-Fattah is dropped
Overview: A festival in upheaval The Adelaide Writers’ Week, a landmark event in Australia’s literary calendar, is under intense scrutiny after the festival board cited “cultural sensitivity” in its decision to remove Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from the lineup. In the wake of the move, dozens of writers announced they would boycott the event,…
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Adelaide Writers Festival Boycott Over Abdel-Fattah Dumping
Background: what sparked the boycott In a move that triggered widespread debate in literary circles, the Adelaide Writers Festival faced a chorus of protests from dozens of writers and organizers who announced a boycott of the event. The friction centered on the festival’s decision to remove or alter the participation of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah,…
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Filipino Writers Shine at First Asian Literary Festival in Brussels
Brussels Welcomes a New Literary Caravan In a landmark weekend for multicultural literature, the first Asian Literary Festival convenes in central Brussels, uniting Asian and European voices under the banner Between Worlds: Reviving the Silk Route of Expression. Held at the historic Galerie Bortier, the event celebrates both the rich heritage of Asian literature and…