Organisers have already started planning a 2019 event after the success of the second Sydney Writers’ Festival Live and Local event in Bega on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 200 people were part event which included live streaming of Sydney festival sessions, live music by The Novellas and a live performance by Footprint Theatre of their award-winning play One Night Stan.
The event also raised more than $300 for the Tathra and District Bushfire Mayoral Appeal Fund.
About the Book convener Gordon Beattie said the event provided a fantastic opportunity for locals to be part of the Sydney festival without having to travel long distances.
“The Bega Valley is home to a very active, creative community and an event like this provides an opportunity for everyone to get together as well as get access to Australia’s and the world’s finest authors and esteemed thinkers,” he said.
“It truly was a wonderful weekend celebrating writing and ideas and explored the key themes of power.
“The festival highlighted the importance of critical thinking and the role of media literacy in dealing with our changing world.”
The event kicked off with award-winning Australian crime writer Jane Harper, whose debut novel The Dry has been optioned by Reese Witherspoon’s film production company.
At the end of the first day The Novellas, a five-piece band whose songs are inspired by contemporary works of fiction, performed.
Other highlights were a conversation with Peter Greste by Hugh Rimmington and an entertaining BooKwiz session hosted by Annabel Crabb and featuring Julia Zemiro, Tim Minchin, Richard Fidler and Leigh Sales.
Mr Beattie said the Footprint Theatre performance was a hit and added another dimension to the festival.
On Sunday bestselling American author of An American Marriage Tayari Jones was brilliant in her conversation with founder of Well-Read Black Girl Glory Edim.
People reached for tissues when ABC journalist Sarah Ferguson revealed a softer side while speaking about her book On Mother she wrote after the sudden death of her mother.
Tathra author Melissa Pouliot hosted sessions and led discussions afterwards, which was popular with guests from across the region and as far away as Tumbarumba.
Bega was one of 35 regional centres across Australia to host Sydney Writers’ Festival Live and Local events.
Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre venue coordinator Georgina Pearce said it was great to see a big jump in numbers compared to the first event last year.
“I think people are becoming more aware of what the concept Live and Local is, and we were fortunate this year to have some fantastic supporters behind the scenes who helped make it the success it was,” she said.
