The Latest Breaking News from Adelaide Festival

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Malinauskas could not direct festival board, he was ‘deeply concerned’ Palestinian Australian author’s invitation not rescinded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 consequences of cancelling a major literary festival are far-reaching, publishers and writers say, despite a premier declaring there is no economic impact.

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

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…

"This is a deeply regrettable outcome."

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

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

Dozens of authors have withdrawn from a major Australian festival over a decision to remove its only Palestinian writer because of "cultural sensitivities".

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