The Queenscliffe Literary Festival launched its 2022 program with a full house at the town hall featuring Jon Faine speaking about his new book, Apollo & Thelma, on Tuesday March 29. Enjoyed by over 300 locals and visitors, the launch included pre-event drinks on the lawn, supplied by Provenance Wines, a moving Welcome to Country, welcoming speeches by Mayor Cr Ross Ebbels and QLF president Pauline Nunan.
To run over three weekends in May, the 2022 festival theme is Shifting Sands which points to the continued uncertainty we can feel navigating the global pandemic, war in Europe and increasing natural disasters.
The program devised by program director Jane Finemore is already a hit with the luncheon with Matt Preston at Basil’s Farm, selling out within 36 hours. Jane has once again gathered an enthralling set of authors, thinkers, poets, historians, provocateurs, and performers who will tackle topics ranging from food to freedom; Chinese history to local history; Australian Indigenous Astronomy to Australian tall poppies; diaries to danger and so much more.
Highlights include:
• Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who was held prisoner in Iran for 804 days, in conversation about her memoir: Uncaged Sky, with the ABC’s Paul Barclay on Saturday May 14.
• The Knowledge Holders on Sunday May 22 with Wadawurrung language expert, Stephanie Skinner, and Duane Hamacher whose book: The First Astronomers reveals how Indigenous Elders read the stars. This will be a free event thanks to the generous support of the Australian government’s Regional Arts Fund and Regional Arts Victoria.
• Kate Langbroek will be talking about her memoir: Ciao Bella, which chronicles her taking her entire family to live in Italy.
Festival goers will also be able to dine at 360Q with Julia Busuttil Nishimura; hone their writing skills at two workshops; and be confronted and engaged at Hysterica, a live performance presented by Skin of Our Teeth Productions, supported by the Victorian government through Creative Victoria.
The QLF will partner with the Lighthouse Art Collective to present two performance events at New Hall in Point Lonsdale: Porchlight on Friday 20 May and The Celestials on Saturday 21 May.
Bookings for two events can be made at lighthouseartscollective.com
