From jellyfish experts to space archeologists, it’s often the names we don’t recognise that leave the most lasting impressions. This week we highlight some of the hidden gems within the 2019 Festival Program.
Friday 2 August
The Belongil Room plays host to plenty of intimate conversations all weekend. On Friday, get up close and personal with jellyfish expert Lisa-ann Gershwin, then join the plight to save The Eastern Curlew with Harry Sadler.
End your day reflecting on The Stories Embedded in Landscape, a truly special session that brings together Bundjalung artist Bronwyn Bancroft, Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, and Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe.
Saturday 3 August
Saturday invites you to discover a world beyond words with these cerebral sessions. Alice Gorman, aka Dr Space Junk, will reveal some of her most fascinating encounters as a space archaeologist. Griffith Review contributors Scott Ludlam, Phillipa McGuinness, and Mark Pesce will talk high-tech lives in The New Disruptors, while Adam Spencer and Eddie Woo share the wonders of numbers in Amazing Mathematics.
For an illuminating discussion on death, oncologist and writer Ranjana Srivastava will share her wisdom on how to live and die well in A Better Death.
Sunday 4 August
On Sunday, we sit down with John Birmingham, Hung Le, and Caro Llewellyn for some moving memories in Reflecting on Fathers.
Be sure to head to the Belongil Room for Indian author, poet, and dancer Tishani Doshi, who has been wooing audiences around the globe with her remarkable performances and storytelling. Follow this up with Dr Julia Shaw, who will reveal the mind’s many faults and fallacies from her fascinating book in the session by the same title The Memory Illusion.
Music to soothe and sing to all weekend!
Be sure to take a break and let new ideas percolate with Morning Music from Evelyn Ida Morris (every morning in The Saturday Paper marquee), soothe your soul with a cappella sounds of Dynasty8 Chamber Choir (Saturday, 5.15pm), and let the happy vibrations resonate long after the Festival by joining Shire Choir for an interactive pop-up singalong (Sunday 4pm).
Catch these sessions and all the action at the Festival site with a 1-day or 3-day pass, available now via byronwritersfestival.com/tickets.
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Welcome to Byron Writers Festival 2019!
Now more than ever our world needs writers, environmentalists, poets, commentators, politicians, and artists who together can shape stories of hope, courage, and change. At Byron Writers Festival 2019 we proudly bring more than 140 writers together to create a program brimming with diverse voices.
You’ll love the Byron Writers Festival if…
Check out what's to love at the Byron Writers Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
