Almost Here: The Christchurch Writers’ Festival 2012, August 30 – September 2
Yes, it really is almost here—the Christchurch Writers’ Festival 2012. Only three sleeps now until Thursday and the opening events! (And of course the first two I want to go to are scheduled back to back: how does that work?)
Seriously though, this is a significant milestone for Christchurch and the Writers’ Festival event given that the 2010 festival was cancelled as a result of the September 4, 2010 earthquake and the rescheduled event for April 2011 could not be run becasue of the devastation caused by the February 22nd, 2011 earthquake. So I think we’re all feeling that having a festival at all, but more, one that is very much the ‘real deal’, is a tremendous achievement.
Acknowledging the hard work put in by the festival organisers, under what are still very difficult conditions, in order to make that happen is therefore right at the top of my agenda as festival week dawns.
I think we are all looking forward to it being a fabulous occasion, both for the audiences, but also the writers gathering from all parts of the country and globe to mix and interact. Needless to say, I am thrilled to be part of the programme in the “Why YA?” event on Sunday 2, at 9.30 am, with John Boyne and Jane Higgins, compered by James Norcliffe.
To check out “Why YA?” in full, click here.
I also featured the programme of poetry events on Saturday, here.
And the full festival programme is here.