Civilised but casual, often hilarious, Adelaide writers’ week is everything a festival should be – except this year

‘Sprawl on the sloping lawn, and settle in.’ Tory Shepherd describes the joy of Adelaide writers’ week. Photograph: Shane Reid

The sun almost always shines on Adelaide writers’ week, held on Kaurna land each year at the tail end of summer.

For those who start looking forward to it as soon as soon as the Christmas tree is packed away (or earlier, frankly) there’s a sense of loss, of betrayal, at the omnishambles that has led to its cancellation this year.