The Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival returns to the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre from 15-17 November, with big name authors, speakers and personalities including Uncle Archie Roach AM, the Reverend Tim Costello, Jane Caro, Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM, Benjamin Law, Clare Bowditch, John Marsden, Neal Drinnan, Mary Moody and many others.
The 2019 festival theme is Nyaal, a word meaning ‘Open Your Eyes’ in the language of the Wadawurrung people, Traditional Owners of Djilang (Geelong). In this, the International Year of Indigenous Languages, Nyaal pays tribute to First Nations language and culture and is an invitation to open our eyes to scrutinise the issues of the moment.
“Now, more than ever is the time for exploring notions of truth – truth about the history we were taught in school, truth about the stories we hear in the media and the truth about some of the most urgent topical issues of today,” says Festival Advisory Committee Chair, Counsellor Margot Smith.
“We’re so excited to present audiences with 80 presenters over 50 sessions across the weekend. There really is something for everyone – from workshops, panel discussions, in conversation and keynote addresses, special events and even a mobile ‘Walk and Talk’ session,” Word for Word Festival Director, Rochelle Smith says.
Wondering what’s new for the Festival in 2019?
• Children’s stream including three special author events • Walk & Talk mobile in-conversation sessions • Word for Word Festival Pass - more Word for Word sessions for less • Expanded workshop program at eight community library locations
In total, there are 50 sessions to choose from – find out more and explore the full program here.
Tickets are on sale now at wordforwordfestival.com.au.
Be quick – early bird prices are available until Friday 4 October.
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This is an opportunity for your community group or organisation to partner with us to present events for our adult audiences that will inform, entertain and enhance social connectedness.
All of our libraries, mobile libraries and Kim barne thaliyu/Geelong Heritage Centre will be closed from Wednesday 25 December -Wednesday 1 January inclusive.
Donate fresh produce this summer to those experiencing food insecurity this December.
We invite First Nations people to participate in an oral history project, recording and preserving stories within the Kim barne thaliyu Geelong Heritage Centre archive. Interviews start in December.
The Library of Things provides members with a range of tech, practical and recreational non-book items available to borrow from your local library – for free!
Please note all our library locations including mobile libraries are closed and online services unavailable on Friday 29 November for our annual staff training day.
