The programme for this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival has been unveiled showcasing an array of literary luminaries set to grace the event per watoday.com.au. A galaxy of esteemed authors, including three Booker Prize winners, three Miles Franklin winners, two Nobel laureates, a Carnegie medallist and a Pulitzer Prize winner, will converge for the week-long celebration of literature.
Kicking off the festivities on May 20, acclaimed US-based author Ann Patchett will deliver the opening night address, engaging in a conversation with ABC journalist Annabel Crabb. The festival’s theme, “take me away,” promises to transport audiences into the realm of imagination and exploration. Adding to the cultural richness of the event, Indigenous guest curator Jazz Money will captivate attendees with a mesmerising poetry reading.
The international lineup boasts an impressive roster, featuring names such as Bonnie Garmus, Michael Connelly and Celeste Ng, among others. Irish literary talents Paul Lynch and Paul Murray will also be in attendance, alongside Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah and Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen.
Authors Ann Patchett, Bonnie Garmus and Paul Lynch will appear at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival. (GETTY IMAGES/ EMILY DORIO)The programme promises diverse discussions ranging from science and sexism to philosophy and politics. Nobel Prize-winning scientist Jennifer Doudna will delve into the gene editing revolution, while Australian philosopher Kate Manne will tackle the future of misogyny in her closing night address.
Artistic director Ann Mossop expressed her excitement for the return of international guests, emphasising the festival’s broad appeal across various literary genres. From Olympians discussing sports to discussions on food and philosophy, the festival offers something for every word enthusiast.
Local talent will also shine brightly, with Miles Franklin winners Shankari Chandran, Melissa Lucashenko and Anna Funder, alongside Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan and actor Bryan Brown, gracing the stage.
With events spanning across iconic venues in Sydney, including Carriageworks and Town Hall, the Sydney Writers’ Festival 2024 promises to be a captivating celebration of the written word, uniting literary aficionados from around the world in a shared love for storytelling and intellectual discourse.
