Three of Australia’s most admired and influential writers from across three generations deliver an extraordinary Opening Night Address. Miles Franklin Award winners Melissa Lucashenko (Too Much Lip) and Tara June Winch (The Yield), and debut poet and essayist Evelyn Araluen (Dropbear), reflect on literature, who gets a voice, and the ways that stories define and shape us as a culture. Together, they invite us to consider what worlds the right words can bring within reach.

Three of Australia&rsquo;s most admired and influential writers from across three generations deliver an extraordinary Opening Night Address. Miles Franklin Award winners Melissa Lucashenko (Too Much Lip) and Tara June Winch (The Yield), and debut poet and essayist Evelyn Araluen (Dropbear), reflect on literature, who gets a voice, and the ways that stories define and shape us as a culture. Together, they invite us to consider what worlds the right words can bring within reach.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of writing and ideas.

Sydney Writers' Festival

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more.

Opening Night Address: Melissa Lucashenko, Tara June Winch and Evelyn Araluen

You can take the kid off the stage, but you can’t take the stage off the kid.

These writers are theatre kids through-and-through but they’re trying their hands at another, quieter, form with their debut books. 

In this panel discussion, actor and playwright George Kemp (Soft Serve), playwright of acclaimed Counting and Cracking S. Shakthidharan (Gather Up Your World in One Long Breath) and actor Zoe Terakes (Eros) discuss the influence of their theatrical sensibilities on their writing and share a reading of their work. Hosted by theatremaker, music director and cabaret artist, Victoria Falconer.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

You can take the kid off the stage, but you can&rsquo;t take the stage off the kid. These writers are theatre kids through-and-through but they&rsquo;re trying their hands at another, quieter, form with their debut books. In this panel discussion, actor and playwright George Kemp (Soft Serve), playwright of acclaimed Counting and Cracking S. Shakthidharan (Gather Up Your World in One Long Breath) and actor Zoe Terakes (Eros) discuss the influence of their theatrical sensibilities on their writing and share a reading of their work. Hosted by theatremaker, music director and cabaret artist, Victoria Falconer.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Theatre Kids

Professor of Philosophy and author A.C. Grayling outlines the fragility of democracy and the freedoms we take for granted and risk losing in For The People: Fighting Authoritarianism, Saving Democracy.

In recent years, the democratic foundations and civil liberties of Western nations that once seemed unshakeable have been shown to be remarkably fragile – vulnerable to authoritarianism, the whims of the wealthy and powerful and the erosion of civil liberties. As with previous works like Who Owns the Moon? and Discriminations, A.C. interrogates complex political realities and offers bold solutions.

Hear from a Festival favourite as he asks the critical questions of our time, followed by a discussion chaired by Nick Bryant (The Forever War) and Rosalind Dixon (The People's Guide to the Australian Constitution).

The Future of Democracy series, hosted by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon, is a collaboration between Sydney Writers’ Festival and the Resilient Democracy Lab at UNSW Sydney.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Professor of Philosophy and author A.C. Grayling outlines the fragility of democracy and the freedoms we take for granted and risk losing in For The People: Fighting Authoritarianism, Saving Democracy.
In recent years, the democratic foundations and civil liberties of Western nations that once seemed unshakeable have been shown to be remarkably fragile &ndash; vulnerable to authoritarianism, the whims of the wealthy and powerful and the erosion of civil liberties. As with previous works like Who Owns the Moon? and Discriminations, A.C. interrogates complex political realities and offers bold solutions.
Hear from a Festival favourite as he asks the critical questions of our time, followed by a discussion chaired by Nick Bryant (The Forever War) and Rosalind Dixon (The People's Guide to the Australian Constitution).
The Future of Democracy series, hosted by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon, is a collaboration between Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival and the Resilient Democracy Lab at UNSW Sydney.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

The Future of Democracy: Fighting Authoritarianism with A.C. Grayling

Dubbed the “undisputed laureate of ordinary lives” by The Sunday Times, Irish Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle has kept us laughing and crying in equal measure.

From his prize-winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha to The Commitments, which was adapted into a BAFTA-winning screenplay, Roddy’s customary humour and dialogue capture beautiful relationships between lifelike characters, making him a literary icon. 

Listen as Roddy reflects on his storytelling career and discusses his latest novel, The Women Behind the Door, which marks the return of beloved character Paula Spencer. In conversation with Kate Evans.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Dubbed the &ldquo;undisputed laureate of ordinary lives&rdquo; by The Sunday Times, Irish Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle has kept us laughing and crying in equal measure. From his prize-winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha to The Commitments, which was adapted into a BAFTA-winning screenplay, Roddy&rsquo;s customary humour and dialogue capture beautiful relationships between lifelike characters, making him a literary icon. Listen as Roddy reflects on his storytelling career and discusses his latest novel, The Women Behind the Door, which marks the return of beloved character Paula Spencer. In conversation with Kate Evans.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Opening Night Address: Melissa Lucashenko, Tara June Winch and Evelyn Araluen

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