The two-yearly three-day celebration of writers, readers, books and poetry will be held in Dunedin from October 13-15, offering a programme inspired by the theme "Te Puao — the place where the river meets the sea".
Festival manager Kitty Brown (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe) said the DWRF team was thrilled to be presenting a programme "bursting with talent and brilliant books".
"We all know the beauty of river mouths, where the restless river runs into the welcoming ocean.
"Our festival will move as a current, bringing ideas in and sending others on a voyage beyond.
"We are thrilled to be going on this journey."
DWRF board chairwoman Nicola McConnell told the gathering that, as the festival would coincide with the weekend of the general election, the event could be a good antidote to election stress.
"If the election gets too much, you can curl up with a really good book."
The festival was proud to work with the bookshop, and appreciated its hard work and support over many festivals, Ms McConnell said.
She also thanked funders, including the University of Otago division of humanities, Creative New Zealand, the Otago Community Trust and Dunedin City Council, whose support helped to keep the festival afloat.
Ms Brown was also delighted to introduce the festival’s Māori curators, Angela Wanhalla (Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, Ngāi Tahu) and Jacinta Ruru (Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui), who had brought together an exciting series of events and "whose influence spreads through the festival".
Authors from all over Aotearoa will converge in Ōtepoti for the festival, bringing knowledge and enthusiasm for a diverse range of genres, ranging from memoir to science fiction, poetry to podcasts, and everything in between.
Programme guests include Witi Ihimaera, Fiona Farrell, Emily Writes, poet laureate Chris Tse, Coco Solid, Liv Sisson and Stacey Morrison, alongside local and travelling creatives.
The DWRF will have its central hub at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Programme events are also scheduled for Te Whare ō Rukutia and the Community Gallery in Princes St.
Special satellite events are planned at the Athenaeum library, Woof!, Dunedin City Library and the Regent Theatre.
- For more information, find a printed programme or visit the festival website www.dunedinwritersfestival.co.nz
