The Latrobe Literary Festival is back after a COVID break and the program is packed full of treats for both readers and writers. And you don’t need to travel far to access the creativity.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said hosting this cultural event from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 May puts Latrobe City on the literary map of regional festivals.
“Local readers and writers can improve their creative writing skills at a number of workshops, hear author talks, enjoy a poetry performance, meet local authors and get a book signed during the three-day event. A point of difference for the Latrobe Literary Festival is the mix of activities for writers and readers on the program,” she said.
“New to this year’s festival is the local author salon. No, it’s not a hair salon, rather it is where writers from Latrobe City and wider Gippsland will get the chance to connect with visitors, talk about and sell their books, and do readings!
From children’s authors and illustrators, to Young Adult fantasy and self-help, the talent in our region shines bright and we’re excited for the community to see it.”
A benefit of the Zoom era is the ability for the festival to host interstate writers. This year, Victoria Purman, a historical fiction author, will appear via Zoom from South Australia to talk about her latest novel, The Women’s Pages, as well as her hugely popular books The Land Girls and the Last of the Bonegilla Girls.
Other festival highlights include a poetry performance by Melbourne-based performance poet and cabaret star, Amy Bodossian, and the historical fiction author panel, convened by Writers Victoria, and featuring Robert Gott, Alison Stuart, Bram Presser and Katherine Kovacic, and facilitated by Jessica Obersby.
Cr Gibson added that a literary festival is not just about the books and authors on the program.
“Literature is an artform and as we know art encourages expression, creative thinking, discussion and debate. Our festival isn’t just for those who write or those who read the classics or highbrow literature. It’s for everybody, no matter your reading preferences. Books open doors to other worlds, other viewpoints, other human experiences. To this day I love reading; it’s one of my favourite things to do,” Cr Gibson concluded.
The full program is available at www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/library and bookings are essential. Library members receive discounted ticket prices. Book at Eventbrite.