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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 28 September 2007 |
Writers,
readers and book enthusiasts have a busy program to explore at the
Maleny Festival of Books and Writing (MFBW) starting this Friday and
running throughout the weekend. Not only is the weekend packed with
workshops and author panel sessions discussing the range of writing
topics from children’s writing to memoires, but poets, budding
screenwriters and songwriters are also provided for.
A feature event of the festival is a fundraiser contributing to the worldwide campaign to draw attention to the tragic situation in Darfur in the Sedan, at the Voices for the voiceless session at Poets Corner in Bicentenary Lane on Saturday from 11.15am to 12.30pm. Young poet Sophia Nugent-Siegal who is participating in the event won the amnesty International Voices of Hope Literature award when she was 12, with her poem dedicated to the women of Darfur.
Poets and performers include Joan Benson, Willy Bach (a poet who has been an aide Worker in Africa), MTC Cronin, Lidija Ctevkovic, Sophia Nugent-Siegal and Nathan Shepherdson will read poems which seek to “give voice to the voiceless”.
MFBW coordinator, Jenny Gibson said that the donation slips from aid organizations such as Medecins Sans Frontieres and Care Australia will be provided to assist aid programs in this devastated region of Africa. Voices for the voiceless is an opportunity to give generously to a cause that needs our attention.
“The event speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves, just as writers the world over use the power of words to draw attention to society’s disorder and chaos, as well as its joys,” Ms Gibson said. “The Darfur event highlights the importance of literature as an expression of thought and feeling. The full and varied festival program takes us further.”
Ms Gibson said that the principal focus of MFBW is to further develop regional writing skills by promoting successful authors and poets as role models, and by offering a powerful cross-section of workshops to feed the hungry mind. With work shops on writing for and by children, a sci-fi and fantasy, illustration and photography in books, life stories, getting started and getting into print, MFBW is going to be humming with creativity and motivation.
Festival bookstore, Rosetta Books has set up a special signing room for authors and book buyers. Libby Gleeson will launch her new book, Happy Birthday x 3 and a festival raffle offers a chance to win a $100 voucher to stock up on the festival author selections.
“ We have addressed most aspect of writing; If we had squeezed in any more, no-one would be able to read the already small print on the program.” Advanced workshop bookings are essential because of limited seating. Full program details are available on the website at www.mfbw.org. Maleny Hinterland Visitor Information centre at 5499 9788 is handling pre-festival bookings. Panel Session tickets will be available at the Information and ticketing Tent over the weekend, as well as workshop entry, subject to availability.
Some of Maleny’s own outstanding community of authors and illustrators will appear, including Gary Crew, Jill Morris, Colin Beard, MTC Cronin, Gary Maller, Heather Gall, Dale Jacobsen, Prue Mason, John Cundill and Rebecca Bifield.
Visiting authors include Carmel Bird, libby Gleeson, Craig Munro,Gabrielle Lord, Matt Condon, Sally Henderson, Simon Groth, Sonny Whitelaw, Cory Daniells, Andrew Lindsay, Josie Montano, Robyn Sheahan-Bright and more.
Poets corner is proud to host leading poets such as Thomas Shapcott, Judith Rodriquez, Bruce Dawe, Jayne Fenton-Keane, as well as a visit from Ireland’s Paul Durcan, currently touring Australia.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 September 2007 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
