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The Latest Breaking News from Randa Abdel

What is the future of Australia’s embattled writers festivals?

For more than 65 years, book lovers have descended on Adelaide every summer for Australia’s longest running literary festival. That is, until this year, when around 180 invited authors (including me) boycotted Adelaide Writers Week, following the board’s decision to “uninvite” Palestinian-Australian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. The festival was cancelled.

The Conversation

Palestinian author to appear at rebel literary event

Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah will appear at a last-minute alternative to the now-cancelled Adelaide Writers' Week.

AAP

South Australian premier urged Adelaide Writers’ Week board to drop Palestinian writer, letter reveals

Malinauskas urged the festival board to drop Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, warning of public backlash

The Independent UK

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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Malinauskas could not direct festival board, he was ‘deeply concerned’ Palestinian Australian author’s invitation not rescinded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

Adelaide Festival Apologises To Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah & Invites Her To 2027 Writers’ Week

Adelaide Festival has issued an official apology to author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah after disinviting her from Writers' Week.

Pedestrian.tv

Adelaide festival apologises to Randa Abdel-Fattah and invites her to participate in 2027 writers’ week

Apology comes as former Adelaide festival board member accuses Louise Adler of hypocrisy after she resigned citing free speech concerns

The Guardian - AU

Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah Launches Legal Action Against SA Premier For Defamation

“This was a vicious personal assault on me, a private citizen, by the highest public official in South Australia. It was defamatory and it terrified me,” Dr Abdel-Fattah claimed.

Pedestrian.tv

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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

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

"This is a deeply regrettable outcome."

Pedestrian.tv

Fourth Adelaide Festival Board Member Resigns Over Randa Abdel-Fattah Backlash

Almost 50 authors have pulled out of the festival program over its decision to remove Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from the line-up.

Pedestrian.tv

Festival dumping calculated, says Palestinian author

Dumped author Randa Abdel-Fattah says attempts to police speech will backfire as more than 100 writers quit a besieged literary festival in solidarity.

AAP

'Foolish': Mabo historian pans festival axing of author

A pre-eminent Australian historian has joined a growing list of nearly 100 speakers pulling out of a writers' festival after it dumped a pro-Palestine academic.

AAP

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

Adelaide festival dumps prominent academic Randa Abdel-Fattah over ‘cultural sensitivity’ concerns after Bondi attack

Abdel-Fattah accuses the board of ‘blatant and shameless’ anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, as other authors pull out in solidarity

The Guardian - AU

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Pedestrian.tv

Bendigo Writers Festival Faced A Mass Walkout Over Its Code Of Conduct, Here’s What Happened

Bendigo Writers Festival was meant to kick off this month. Instead, it found itself at the centre of mass withdrawals.

The Conversation

Sara M. Saleh's memorable tales of exile, prejudice and resistance reflect the Palestinian experience

Sara M. Saleh is a writer and human rights lawyer. She has won two of Australia’s most prestigious poetry prizes: Overland’s Judith Wright Poetry Prize in 2020 and Australian Book Review’s Peter Porter Poetry Prize in 2021. She has published extensively in literary and poetry journals, and co-edited Arab, Australian,…

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