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The 2004 Byron Bay Writers Festival
I am proud once again to head the amazing team, which organises the Byron Bay Writers Festival. As Director I look forward to creating an exciting and challenging program for the 2004 Byron Bay Writers Festival.
It is my privilege to see that the program reflects the importance of writing and writers in Australia in 2004. In doing so it will cover the many genres of writing in Australia today, be it fiction or non-fiction, journalism, poetry or novel; be it for screen, stage or song.
The 2004 Byron Bay Writers Festival will focus on Australian writing and the respect it attracts internationally by featuring some of our most recognised writers along with those who are new on the scene or in fact hide behind the scene.
As Director I am concerned that the 2004 Festival look closely at the place of Australia in the world today. The program will look at Australia's changing image and reputation internationally and explore the way in which this is represented by or examined in the written word.
As one of the many themes that flow through the Festival the program will examine the way in which writers are currently looking at Asia and to Asia in their work. It will also explore the way in which they as writers represent how Australia as a nation and Australians as individuals, are influenced or inspired by Asia and how our proximity to it makes this inevitable be it politically, socially, culturally or spiritually. With an eye to writers of Asian background who now call Australia home and those with Australian backgrounds who have lived or traveled in and written about Asia, we hope to further an understanding of the value and impact of this relationship.
In particular the program will examine the relationship of Australia with its Asia Pacific neighbours and the impact we have on each other. It will look at points of similarity and those of difference: fascinations, borrowed and appropriated traditions, shared experiences, conflicts and threats.
Looking beyond geographical boundaries, the exploration of writers who concern themselves with stories of change and significant journeys will also feature in the program. Be they journeys due to exile or illness, enforced or by choice, be they a search for a home, spirituality or adventure, the program will look at the way in which journeys and change can alter our understanding of the world, others and ourselves.
The Festival will also explore social changes that impact on people today, where they live, how they live and why these changes are occurring. It will look at how this is represented in non-fiction and through the many other mediums of contemporary writing.
With all this and more, undoubtedly the 2004 program will challenge and entertain simultaneously. Over the week, the program will push the boundaries for readers and writers alike exploring favourite words and writers as well as introducing readers to new and exciting writers and ideas.
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