The Latest Breaking News from Adelaide Festival

Pulp have the last word in Adelaide festival saga with triumphant opening gig

Britpop rockers wow crowd and say all voices are ‘important’ in wake of Randa Abdel-Fattah controversy

The Guardian - AU · Feb 27

SA premier ‘fundamentally opposed’ Randa Abdel-Fattah appearing at Adelaide writers’ week, letter to board shows

Three-page letter acknowledged that while Peter Malinauskas could not direct festival board, he was ‘deeply concerned’ Palestinian Australian author’s invitation not rescinded

The Guardian - AU · Jan 18

'Their career is toast': writers' festival anguish

The consequences of cancelling a major literary festival are far-reaching, publishers and writers say, despite a premier declaring there is no economic impact.

AAP · Jan 15

Major Australian arts festival cancelled after mass boycott over Palestinian author’s removal

Adelaide Writers’ Week saw more than 180 speakers pull out after Randa Abdel-Fattah was barred following Bondi Beach attack

The Independent UK · Jan 13

‘Masterclass in poor governance’: what was the board’s role in the end of Adelaide Writers Week?

This afternoon, Adelaide Writers Week was cancelled for 2026 – less than a week after Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah was disinvited by the Adelaide Festival board. This came despite the “strongest opposition” from Writers Week director Louise Adler, who resigned this morning. The board has announced its remaining members will…

The Conversation · Jan 13

Adelaide Writers’ Festival Cancelled & Apology Issued To Randa Abdel-Fattah

"This is a deeply regrettable outcome."

Pedestrian.tv · Jan 13

Festival canned after author's dumping sparks backlash

A leading writers' festival has collapsed under the weight of backlash over the dumping of a Palestinian-Australian novelist from its program.

AAP · Jan 12

Adelaide festival did not dump Jewish columnist from 2024 program despite request from Randa Abdel-Fattah and others

Palestinian academic rejects accusations of hypocrisy, saying board resisted attempts to remove Thomas Friedman, while cancelling her invitation this year

The Guardian - AU · Jan 11

Writers' mass exodus after festival bans Palestinian

Dozens of authors have withdrawn from a major Australian festival over a decision to remove its only Palestinian writer because of "cultural sensitivities".

AAP · Jan 9

Almost 50 writers boycott Adelaide festival after it dumps pro-Palestine academic Randa Abdel-Fattah

Helen Garner and Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser among 47 people who have pulled out of annual writers’ festival to protest Abdel-Fattah’s axing

The Guardian - AU · Jan 9