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The ongoing theme of the Canberra Writers Festival is Power, Passion, Politics. But none of that was enough to save this year’s festival, Canberra Writers Festival artistic director Jeanne Ryckmans announced on Friday that the 2021 event has been canceled. “This was to be the sixth festival and my second as artistic director,†Ms. Ryckmans said. In July, a few days before the launch of the 2021 program, the festival was postponed to November. Ms Ryckmans said on Friday that the 20211 festival was canceled due to lingering uncertainty over COVID, border closures and lockdowns, and the need to protect patrons, writers, publicists, publishers and organizers . Last year, the festival was able to take place at reduced capacity under COVID conditions, with limited seating at local events and writers speaking through Zoom. But that won’t happen in 2021. “It would be madness,†Ms. Ryckmans said. “People are tired of Zoom. Plus the cost would be prohibitive: last year we used it at a loss.” She was hopeful that many of the events planned for this year – among confirmed attendees, including famous author Isabel Allende – would take place as part of next year’s festival, as well as see what was new in 2022. The director of the festival, Paul Donohoe, said that “the outpouring of goodwill from our supporters and the community is pushing us to plan the next Canberra Writers’ Festival in August 2022”. Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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The ongoing theme of the Canberra Writers Festival is Power, Passion, Politics.
But none of that was enough to save this year’s festival,
Canberra Writers Festival Artistic Director Jeanne Ryckmans announced on Friday that the 2021 event has been canceled.
“This was to be the sixth festival and my second as artistic director,†Ms. Ryckmans said.
In July, a few days before the launch of the 2021 program, the festival was postponed to November.
The artistic director of the Canberra Writers’ Festival, Jeanne Ryckmans. Image: Supplied
Ms Ryckmans said on Friday that the 20211 festival was canceled due to lingering uncertainty over COVID, border closures and lockdowns, and the need to protect patrons, writers, publicists, publishers and organizers .
Last year, the festival was able to take place at reduced capacity under COVID conditions, with limited seating at local events and writers speaking through Zoom.
But that won’t happen in 2021.
“It would be madness,†Ms. Ryckmans said.
“People are tired of Zoom. Plus the cost would be prohibitive: last year we used it at a loss.”
She was hoping that many of the events planned for this year – among confirmed attendees, including famous author Isabel Allende – would take place as part of next year’s festival, as well as see what’s new in 2022.
Festival director Paul Donohoe said that “the outpouring of goodwill from our supporters and the community is driving us to plan the next Canberra Writers’ Festival in August 2022”.
Our reporters work hard to provide local and up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can continue to access our trusted content:
