Mark your calendar for Byron Writers Festival 2022, set to take place this August 26 — 28 at their new site, the beautiful North Byron Parklands.

UPDATE – The 2022 Byron Writers Festival (Aug 26-28) will no longer be taking place at North Byron Parklands and will take place on the grounds adjacent to Elements of Byron, who have generously hosted the festival for many years.

Australia’s favourite regional literary festival

Soaking up the winter rays at Byron Writers Festival 2018. Photo J Miller Photography

For three days in August, more than 140 writers and thinkers will come together in Byron to ponder the power of stories and the written word in shaping who we are. Now in its 26th year, Byron Writers Festival has become famous for its relaxed and friendly vibe, open-air coastal location and compelling conversations spanning a mix of genres including environment, first nations, politics, philosophy, music, art, social issues and of course memoir and fiction.

2022 program explores the theme ‘Radical Hope’

Guests include (left to right from top) Trent Dalton, Hannah Kent, Ben Quilty, Indira Naidoo, Bruce Pascoe, Masha Gessen, Evelyn Araluen, Steve Toltz, Julia Baird, Aaron Fa’Aoso, Costa Georgiadis, and Marcia Langton

In curating the program, incoming Artistic Director Zoë Pollock reflected on the theme of ‘Radical Hope’ in the wake of fires, pandemic and floods.

“Radical hope imagines a future goodness that transcends our current reality. It is a provocation to seek and create a new world in the face of incredibly challenging circumstances. Radical hope is a denial and refusal of cultural destruction and a determination to build a new culture for a changed
environment.”

At this year’s festival you will hear from social and environmental experts on how we can tackle the challenge that is climate change. You will be uplifted by listening to our most gifted storytellers explaining how they celebrate the human condition and render our experiences so magnificently on the page. You will meet talented emerging and established writers who are challenging the status quo. In hearing and engaging with these ideas you are playing your part in making the world anew.

Dive in and discover the writers and thinkers who will inspire and uplift us this 26—28 August at Australia’s favourite regional literary festival.

Full program available and tickets on sale via byronwritersfestival.com/festival