One of Australia’s most important regional arts festivals is delivering a literary program this April.
Following the Castlemaine State Festival’s 23rd iteration last year, the beloved regional arts festival is bringing back one of the program’s highlights for a standalone weekend event this April with Dialogues 2022, a thought-provoking curation of dynamic writers and theorists from a diverse range of fields reflecting on the issues of ‘change’.
Taking place from the 7th till the 10th of April at The Castlemaine Goods Shed and venues throughout Castlemaine, ‘Dialogues 2022 – Change Your Thinking’ aims to stimulate active discourse where speakers and audiences challenge, inform, reassure and inspire each other.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
With a lineup of writers and guests including the likes of Bill and Chloe Shorten, Julia Banks, Tim Burrowes, John Safran, Stephanie Alexander, Julie Gibbs, Jeff Sparrow, Rebecca Huntley, Eliza Hull, Sarah Walker, and Ennis Cehic, just to name a few, the program will include keynotes, panel discussions, in conversation events, literary lunches and poetic creative interventions, all designed to encourage engagement, where topical issues will be examined through dialogue and reflection.
Other names on the Dialogues lineup include Van Badham, Claire G Coleman, ArunDitha, Ms Gabrielle Chan, Dr Anika Molesworth, Ms Alex Kelly, Ms Kristin Gill, Hayley West, Anna Lyons, Louise Winter, Evonne Madden, Annie Smithers, Jodi Newcombe, Lidia Thorpe, Jon Faine, Derek Guille, Dr Gordon Parker AO, Caroline Kell, Jeremy Forbes, Lucy Mayes, ArunDitha, Theo Kwek, Cate Kennedy and Jean Seizure.
The lineup of progressive thinkers and writers from Australia and beyond (international artists will participate via digital live stream) will discuss all aspects of ‘CHANGE’ and the impact of change in our community, on us as individuals, on our economy and the environmental landscape. Speakers will challenge and engage with the audience, encouraging them to instigate, embrace, reject and consider the outcomes of change along the way.
A few highlights of the program will be in conversation together for the first time, Bill and Chloe Shorten, who will talk candidly and with good humour about family life, politics and everything in between; An Evening with Stephanie Alexander, Annie Smithers and Julie Gibbs featuring an inspiring conversation with three of the most celebrated identities of the Australian food and restaurant landscape; and A Matter of Trust, which promises to be an honest and confronting conversation on the impact the betrayal of trust can have on political, cultural, historical, and domestic outcomes with Van Badham (chair/host), Claire G Coleman, Julia Banks, Tim Burrowes, and John Safran.
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The entire Dialogues 2022 program will be live streamed allowing accessibility for audiences who cannot attend physically due to health vulnerabilities or disability. If lockdown or other significant COVID restrictions apply during the event dates, the entire project will be delivered online.
Check out the full program and purchase tickets to individual events here.
