Sydney Writers' Festival is returning to Latrobe City Libraries in 2021.
One of Australia's best-loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers' Festival will be streaming its headline events from Carriageworks in Sydney direct to Moe Library on Friday 30 April, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May.
Prepare to be engaged by conversations, debates and discussions, as the Festival brings the world's finest authors to Moe in real time. As well as hearing new ideas from great thinkers, audiences will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A sessions at each event, sending questions direct to the stage.
Become a Latrobe City Libraries member and save on ticket costs.
Tickets are available per session, per day or save $ with a 3-day pass!
Program
Friday 30 April
10am to 11am Panel with Barrie Cassidy and Evan Osnos
Evan Osnos, author of Joe Biden, appears live via video to discuss the Biden presidency with Barrie Cassidy. Barrie is then joined by a panel of experts to talk about an America under pressure.
12noon to 1pm Are You There, Sydney? It’s Me, Judy Blume
For generations of readers, Judy Blume is an icon. Beginning in the late 1960s, her celebrated novels were formative for young readers and future writers alike. And her young adult books were beloved – and sometimes banned – for their free and frank depictions of puberty and sexuality. Join Judy appearing live via video as she talks with Sophie Black.
2pm to 3pm But Not Forgotten
Four Festival guests reflect on the powerful work of four writers taken from us in the past year. A session of reflection, tribute and celebration featuring Michelle de Kretser on Sydney literary great Elizabeth Harrower; Kerry O’Brien on legendary political reporter Mungo MacCallum; Michael Robotham on spy master John le Carré; and Sally Warhaft on Jan Morris.
4pm to 5pm The Larrikin Lie
We like to think we’re a devil-may-care, larrikin-loving country, but David Marr and Rebecca Huntley separate truth from myth, as they explore our compliant, obedient, authority-loving ways, with ABC’s Laura Tingle.
Saturday 1 May
10am to 11am Barrie Cassidy & Friends: Opposition and Dissent
What does it mean to live your politics? Is a life of protest and dissent good for the soul or is it soul destroying? Former deputy leader of the Australian Greens Scott Ludlam was a senator from 2008 to 2017. Scott speaks to Barrie about his new book Full Circle, which explores a new approach to political and environmental change.
Barrie and Scott are then joined by Magda Szubanski to discuss the triumphs and disappointments of activism and advocacy, and Sally McManus to share the challenges and advantages of expressing dissent from an institutional base.
12noon to 1pm Isabel Wilkerson: Caste – The Lies That Divide Us
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author of Caste, Isabel Wilkerson, appears live via video to discuss her internationally bestselling study of the powerful and unspoken social hierarchy that shapes our lives. Challenge your assumptions and take an eye-opening look beneath the surface of ordinary life.
2pm to 3pm Sarah Krasnostein and Helen Garner
In a very special conversation, author of The Trauma Cleaner Sarah Krosnostein discusses her new book, The Believer, a deftly drawn enquiry into the power of belief, with Helen Garner.
4pm to 5pm Richard Flanagan and Laura Tingle
Richard Flanagan’s latest book The Living Sea of Waking Dreams offers a tender, haunting portrait of a world disappearing around us. With Laura Tingle, he reflects on capturing in words the things we’re losing.
Sunday 2 May
10am to 11am Barrie Cassidy & Friends: The Canberra Bubble
Barrie Cassidy interviews political academic and journalist Peter van Onselen about his new biography of Scott Morrison. Barrie and Peter are then joined by a panel of experts to explore what insights political biographies offer into Canberra.
12noon to 1pm George Miller: Beyond Thunderdome
George Miller AO is a legend of cinema. From Mad Max to Babe to the recent triumph of Fury Road (with a Happy Feet or two along the way), it’s hard to think of a more revolutionary creative figure in Australia today.
2pm to 3pm Jan Fran and Judith Lucy
Walkley Award–winning reporter Jan Fran and much-loved comedian Judith Lucy (Turns Out, I’m Fine) talk about humour and memoir, coping and not coping, and what it means to be fine.
4pm to 5pm Great Adaptations: Margaret and David Return
Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, Australia’s favourite film critics, reunite on stage to debate the best and worst movie adaptations of Australian books.