first nations literary festival blak and bright kicks off this week
Poetry, comedy, discussions and more, presented by more than 60 First Nations storytellers.
If you’re a writerly type in Melbourne who’s got a few hours to spare over the coming days, you might like to add an event or two from Blak and Bright to your itinerary. The First Nations literary festival is back for the first time since 2019 this week, showcasing top-notch writers, books and stories from Australia and abroad.
The fun begins online tonight with a poetry masterclass hosted by Jazz Money, and concludes on Sunday with spoken word pieces by Nardi Simpson, Tara June Winch, SJ Norman, Declan Fry, Emily Munro-Harrison, Nayook, Claire G. Coleman, Nayuka Gorrie and Victor Rodger. In between, there are heaps of rad (and mostly free) events occurring across the city, covering topics like Blak voices in the media, the Aboriginal aesthetic in architecture and design, monologues from Blak playwrights, and the life of Aboriginal activist William Cooper. There’s even a picture-book reading for the little ones. Head here to check out the full program and make sure you nab a ticket if something takes your fancy – bookings are essential for all events (even the free stuff).