Young Writers Programme Announced

Young Writers Programme Announced

The first ever New Zealand Young Writers Festival programme has landed. From June 4th – 7th, downtown Dunedin will host 18 free events over four days: discussions, performances, workshops and social events of a bookish nature, aimed at young and emerging writers from around the country. Based at the Fortune Theatre, with a few detours nearby, the schedule runs the gamut of forms and functions.

“It was important for us that the programme took in as broad a scope of 'writing' as possible”, said Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust Co-Chair Aaron Hawkins. “We've got Guy Williams coming down, talking about his work writing stand-up and sketch comedy, immediately before a panel that asks whether our existing or emerging media outlets cater to the needs of a Maori audience. There's a workshop on how to turn old books into new poems, and another on how to turn an existing idea into a story for an online audience.”

The Festival launches with Blast Off!, presented by Radio One on Thursday June 4th. Featuring live music from Emily Edrosa, Embedded Figures & Birdation, and appropriately enough at the Robbie Burns Pub. Dunedin is now officially recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, but the city's songwriting legacy made it impossible for live music to be ignored. Sticking with performance, Arthur Meek will perform his bonkers one man show On The Conditions & Possibilities of Hillary Clinton Taking Me As Her Young Lover, and Dunedin theatre company Counterpoint will devise a new work during the Festival, on a budget of 72 hours and $72. The Robbie Burns Pub will also host The Great Young Writers Spelling Bee Championship and The Big Book Quiz with Guy Williams onSaturday June 6th.

“It's essential that the programme offers young writers new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking about things. It's also ideal that they be given plenty of more relaxed opportunities to meet other writers, and hopefully kick off some meaningful relationships and collaborations. Plus, we all know writers are competitive pedants, so how could we go past a spelling bee?”, Mr Hawkins added.

The team of television obsessives at The Spinoff will argue in support of the cultural merits of The Bachelor and X Factor, while at the sublime end of things Morgan Godfery hosts Leanne Tamaki and Dr Michael Stevens in talking about their work on the 5000-year illustrated history Tangata Whenua. Rapid-fire storytelling is the order of the day at the latest instalment of Pecha Kucha in Dunedin, especially for the festival, while a new digital series will come into being at the Blue Oyster Online Publication Launch. The lovable scamps behind the Dunedin Zinefest are also welcoming all comers along to their Teeny Weeny Ziney Theengy, an open access celebration of DIY publishing culture.

“In our first year, it was an impossible task to try and cram in everyone and everything we think is worth people paying more attention to. Ultimately we want this event to not just be an annual festival for young writers in this country, but by them as well. There will be a call going out later this year for anyone interested in adding something to next year's programme, so please keep an eye out for it”, Mr Hawkins said. “This year is only the beginning and it’s another outstanding event for Dunedin – City of Literature”.

ENDS

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