Adelaide’s literary scene is rallying together to launch a new festival, called Constellations, following the abrupt cancellation of this year’s Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW). The grassroots initiative, humorously dubbed “Not Writers’ Week,” is organized by a coalition of authors, publishers, and booksellers, with support from the not-for-profit Writers SA. The festival will feature dozens of free events from February 28 to March 5, 2024.
The cancellation of AWW stemmed from a controversial decision by the festival board to disinvite the Palestinian-Australian author and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah. This action followed criticism surrounding her previous comments on Israel and Gaza, which resulted in significant backlash, including a mass withdrawal of over 100 authors from the festival. Among the organizers of Constellations is Jennifer Mills, the current chair of the Australian Society of Authors, who was also one of those who withdrew in protest. Mills expressed pride in the swift community response to the cancellation.
“It’s gone from a big disappointment and heartbreak to a really strong community response very quickly,” Mills remarked, emphasizing the role of literary festivals in providing financial support and networking opportunities for writers. She described Constellations as an “umbrella festival,” which will depend on donations, community input, and volunteer efforts to succeed.
The festival aims to fill the void left by AWW, which has been a key cultural event in Adelaide since 1960. Mills noted the importance of maintaining opportunities for writers and the broader community, stating, “It’s not just the writers who miss out – it’s the audiences, it’s the booksellers, it’s the city as a whole that misses out.”
Community Engagement and Participation
Constellations will not only host major events but also encourages local bookstores, libraries, schools, and community venues across Adelaide and South Australia to create their own literary events. Participants can propose events to the festival organizers, who will assist with logistics and author arrangements. Volunteers are actively sought to help with various tasks, including setting up venues and ushering.
“A lot of people are already putting their hands up to volunteer, which is really fantastic to see,” Mills noted, indicating strong community involvement. The festival guidelines stipulate that all events should be free or by donation, with any profits directed toward compensating writers for their participation. Mills highlighted the financial challenges many authors face, stating that the average writer earns just $18,200 annually, making festival appearances particularly valuable for their income.
The Adelaide City Council has shown support for the festival by agreeing to provide council-owned venues for events. However, a proposal for up to $250,000 in funding was rejected, a request that Mills clarified the festival had not made. “We’re not receiving or asking for any funding from any level of government,” she stated.
A Commitment to Open Discourse
The decision to disinvite Abdel-Fattah sparked significant controversy, leading to a mass exodus of authors from AWW. Following the resignation of the festival director, Louise Adler, and the entire board, a new board quickly addressed the situation by apologizing to Abdel-Fattah and inviting her to participate in AWW in 2027.
Constellations aims to foster a safe space for writers and readers, encouraging open discourse while maintaining a commitment to combat racism and harmful narratives. Mills emphasized that the festival would not engage in “policing what artists can and can’t say,” affirming that the focus will remain on celebrating creative expression.
Looking forward, Mills expressed hope for the future of AWW, stating, “We really want to see AWW come back next year, better and stronger and with more artist engagement in the governance structure.” While the upcoming festival requires substantial effort from the community, it is poised to become a positive addition to Adelaide’s cultural landscape.
