Dunedin - City of Literature
We are proud to now be part of the Creative City Network, and we heartily congratulate the team of hard working volunteers who made that happen for Dunedin. UNESCO launched the Creative Cities Network to enable cities around the world to work together to advance, grow, prosper and promote their cultural assets to the world. There are 69 cities worldwide, under seven thematic schemes, one of which is literature. It is wonderful that Dunedin is now part of this network and has been named an official City of Literature.
This achievement raises our city’s profile on a global scale, brands the city and spotlights its cultural assets, fosters a sharing of knowledge, expertise and ideas for example encouraging literary exchanges. It creates international opportunity and connections and increases the creative economy.
We are proud to now be part of the Creative City Network, and we heartily congratulate the team of hard working volunteers who made that happen for Dunedin. UNESCO launched the Creative Cities Network to enable cities around the world to work together to advance, grow, prosper and promote their cultural assets to the world. There are 69 cities worldwide, under seven thematic schemes, one of which is literature. It is wonderful that Dunedin is now part of this network and has been named an official City of Literature.
This achievement raises our city’s profile on a global scale, brands the city and spotlights its cultural assets, fosters a sharing of knowledge, expertise and ideas for example encouraging literary exchanges. It creates international opportunity and connections and increases the creative economy.
Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival May 5-10
As it happens....
Natalie Haynes with Josh Whedon
Damian Barr: on Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan
Zia Haider Rahman: on Radio NZ National's Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan
Nick Davies: on Radio NZ National's Afternoons with Simon Mercer
Robbie Burton: Playing Favourites on Radio NZ National's Saturday Morning with Kim Hill
Liam McIlvanney: Standing Room Only on Radio NZ National with Lynn Freeman
Damian Barr: on Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan
Zia Haider Rahman: on Radio NZ National's Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan
Nick Davies: on Radio NZ National's Afternoons with Simon Mercer
Robbie Burton: Playing Favourites on Radio NZ National's Saturday Morning with Kim Hill
Liam McIlvanney: Standing Room Only on Radio NZ National with Lynn Freeman
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LITERARY GREATS TO CONVERGE ON DUNEDIN FOR WRITERS AND READERS FESTIVAL Dunedin has a swag of top international and national authors converging on the city in May for the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival (May 5-10). Fiction lovers will be spellbound by Bangladesh born, Zia Haider Rahman whose debut novel In the Light of What We Know has the literary world buzzing. Foodies can enjoy the culinary wisdom of Stephanie Alexander, Australia’s food queen and author of the Aussie classic A Cook’s Companion and news junkies can get a fix with British investigative journalist Nick Davies who uncovered the News of the World Phone Hacking Affair. |
From left to right: Bridget Schaumann, Alexandra Bligh, Phillippa Duffy, Katherine Quill and Annie Villiers. Photo Paul Le Comte
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Alexandra Bligh, Chairwoman of the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival, says this year’s line-up is a celebration of literary diversity bringing lovers of literature, ideas and performance, a plethora of inspiring events.
“The Festival has acclaimed British memoir writers Damian Barr and Helen Macdonald; comic genius and classicist Natalie Haynes; acclaimed Irish poet Vona Groarke; and a stellar selection of New Zealand writers such as Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera – all doing what they do best … discussing ideas, opening minds and taking us to new worlds.
“But we are also throwing in the mix a stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway by consummate performer Rebecca Vaughan; we are blending poetry with classical music to celebrate Lilburn’s centennial anniversary and drawing on the talents of Otago University’s Music Department for W.B. Yeats Centenary Lecture Recital.”
Championing its own authors, Dunedin, New Zealand’s UNESCO City of Literature, draws on a wealth of literary talent including resident crime writers Paddy Richardson, Liam McIlvanney, Rogelio Guedea and Vanda Symon, who will take sleuth aficionados on a crime ridden talking spree.
Poetry in the Pub promises to be a potent homebrew notwithstanding a touch of Mexican spice. Poets Louise Wallace, Peter Olds, Kay Mckenzie Cook and Mexican born Rogelio Guedea will inject ‘poetic’ into the watering hole’s licence.
Dunedin fiction writers Laurence Fearnley and Jackie Ballantyne will team up with NZ novelist Emily Perkinson the Writers’ Panel chaired by the ubiquitous fiction-writer, playwright and poet Fiona Farrell.
There are nearly 40 events over six days including the DWRF Literary Lunch Series -free events running from May 5- 8, providing greater community access. Children will be entertained on the popular Storytime train to Port Chalmers - serenaded by musicians, story tellers and stilt walkers. Young adults can speed date an author and there’s a host of writers workshops.
Dunedin will be showing off its architectural heritage during the Festival with venues that include the Regent Theatre, Fortune Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Toitu Settlers Museum, the Glenroy Auditorium and the Athenaeum.
The DWRF is thrilled to be putting on many events in association with a multitude of organisations including the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival, Dunedin Public Libraries, the New Zealand Society of Authors, the New Zealand Book Council and the Department of Music and the Scottish Studies Programme at the University of Otago.
The DWRF could not have happened without funding from Creative New Zealand, Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust, University Book Shop (Otago), Lion's Foundation, Otago University Press, Marks and Worth Lawyers and JW Smeaton Chartered Accountants and many other supporters.
Tickets on sale now www.ticketdirect.co.nz or at Dunedin’s Regent Theatre
For the full 2015 Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival programme visit www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz
For Radio NZ links for interviews with the following attendees: Zia Haider Rahmann, Anna Smaill, Nick Davies
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/writers/20150505
“The Festival has acclaimed British memoir writers Damian Barr and Helen Macdonald; comic genius and classicist Natalie Haynes; acclaimed Irish poet Vona Groarke; and a stellar selection of New Zealand writers such as Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera – all doing what they do best … discussing ideas, opening minds and taking us to new worlds.
“But we are also throwing in the mix a stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway by consummate performer Rebecca Vaughan; we are blending poetry with classical music to celebrate Lilburn’s centennial anniversary and drawing on the talents of Otago University’s Music Department for W.B. Yeats Centenary Lecture Recital.”
Championing its own authors, Dunedin, New Zealand’s UNESCO City of Literature, draws on a wealth of literary talent including resident crime writers Paddy Richardson, Liam McIlvanney, Rogelio Guedea and Vanda Symon, who will take sleuth aficionados on a crime ridden talking spree.
Poetry in the Pub promises to be a potent homebrew notwithstanding a touch of Mexican spice. Poets Louise Wallace, Peter Olds, Kay Mckenzie Cook and Mexican born Rogelio Guedea will inject ‘poetic’ into the watering hole’s licence.
Dunedin fiction writers Laurence Fearnley and Jackie Ballantyne will team up with NZ novelist Emily Perkinson the Writers’ Panel chaired by the ubiquitous fiction-writer, playwright and poet Fiona Farrell.
There are nearly 40 events over six days including the DWRF Literary Lunch Series -free events running from May 5- 8, providing greater community access. Children will be entertained on the popular Storytime train to Port Chalmers - serenaded by musicians, story tellers and stilt walkers. Young adults can speed date an author and there’s a host of writers workshops.
Dunedin will be showing off its architectural heritage during the Festival with venues that include the Regent Theatre, Fortune Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Toitu Settlers Museum, the Glenroy Auditorium and the Athenaeum.
The DWRF is thrilled to be putting on many events in association with a multitude of organisations including the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival, Dunedin Public Libraries, the New Zealand Society of Authors, the New Zealand Book Council and the Department of Music and the Scottish Studies Programme at the University of Otago.
The DWRF could not have happened without funding from Creative New Zealand, Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust, University Book Shop (Otago), Lion's Foundation, Otago University Press, Marks and Worth Lawyers and JW Smeaton Chartered Accountants and many other supporters.
Tickets on sale now www.ticketdirect.co.nz or at Dunedin’s Regent Theatre
For the full 2015 Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival programme visit www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz
For Radio NZ links for interviews with the following attendees: Zia Haider Rahmann, Anna Smaill, Nick Davies
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/writers/20150505
Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival Programmes are Now Available
Regent Theatre, University Book Shop, (Great King St & UBS On Campus) Dunedin Public Library and various cafes around town.
Or email festival@dwrf.co.nz if you would like us to post you some.
Or email festival@dwrf.co.nz if you would like us to post you some.
Storylines 2014 Notable Books List
Each year Storylines produces a list of outstanding books for children and young adults published in New Zealand by New Zealand authors and illustrators. Melinda Szymanik has had two of her books selected for the Storylines List. Melinda is part of DWRF - Young Adults Writers' Panel which is on Saturday 10 May, at the Dunningham Suite, Library, from 11.30-12.45pm.
Storylines Notable Books are selected from children's and young adult novels, picture books and non-fiction. This year they had 109 books to select from, submitted by publishers.
Since 2000 Storylines has produced a list of outstanding books which are considered by an expert panel from the Storylines community that includes librarians, teachers, teacher educators, academics and authors, as worthy of being recognised as notable in each year.
To purchase tickets to the Young Adults Writers' Panel
Ticket Direct, Regent Theatre, Edgar Centre or Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Storylines Notable Books are selected from children's and young adult novels, picture books and non-fiction. This year they had 109 books to select from, submitted by publishers.
Since 2000 Storylines has produced a list of outstanding books which are considered by an expert panel from the Storylines community that includes librarians, teachers, teacher educators, academics and authors, as worthy of being recognised as notable in each year.
To purchase tickets to the Young Adults Writers' Panel
Ticket Direct, Regent Theatre, Edgar Centre or Forsyth Barr Stadium.
