Jonathan Parsons will be the 2012 Byron Bay Writers’ Festival (BBWF) director.
If you are looking for some interesting reading between now and the festival, Jonathan’s CV is a good place to start.
He started out as artistic director of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival from 1996 to 2000 and was recently artistic advisor for the AWESOME Festival (Perth’s leading youth contemporary arts festival).
Between these two gigs Jonathan has been director of public programs at the Queensland State Library (2007–2009), during which time he managed more than 110 events and oversaw the doubling of participation numbers. He was one of seven international associates who developed the 2008 London International Festival of Theatre program, and from 2002 to 2007 he was the festival director for Brisbane’s Riverfestival – the city’s major annual community cultural and environment festival.
‘I’m thrilled to be a part of the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival,’ said Jonathan, ‘and am looking forward to building on the rich history of one of Australia’s best festivals of books, writers and writing.’
Jonathan was also quick to acknowledge the importance of the Byron community, and especially the members of the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, as being crucial to the success of the BBWF.
‘Having worked on a range of festivals and events I know that the core support of members and the community is vital to the success of any major event, so I’m very much looking forward to developing and delivering a festival that our members can be proud of and the local community would be happy to stand behind.’
The BBWF will run from 3 to 5 August 2012.
