Sydney Writers' Festival

Current Affairs

Print This Page

• Monday, May 19 2008 •
13 : 00	12: The Ernies Book Meredith Burgmann and Yvette Andrews talk about 'The Ernies Book' with Anne Summers. The Mint 13:00 to 14:00 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs, Culture & Heritage In Conversation  More Info
• Wednesday, May 21 2008 •
07 : 30	34: John Gray Business Breakfast Join John Gray for an incisive overview of today’s global politics over breakfast. Café Sydney 07:30 to 09:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, History Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
12 : 30	40: Jana Wendt Literary Lunch Jana Wendt speaks with Margaret Throsby about getting under the skin of her subjects. The Sebel Pier One Sydney, Harbour Watch Room 12:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Food & Drink, Current Affairs Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info 41: Lunch with Loretta Napoleoni and Leigh Sales Lunch with counter-terrorism, money laundering and terror financing expert, Loretta Napoleoni, with Leigh Sales. The Sofitel Wentworth Sydney 12:30 to 14:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
19 : 00	50: Is There Hope in Sydney? Are Sydney's residents experiencing a scarcity in engagement, empowerment and hope? James Arvanitakis and Kate Crawford discuss. Museum of Sydney, AGL Theatre 19:00 to 20:30 Ticketed Event Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, History Panel  More Info
19 : 30	51: Liyarn Ngarn A powerful documentary charting British actor Pete Postlethwaite's journey into Aboriginal Australia with musician Archie Roach. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 19:30 to 21:45 Ticketed Event Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, Indigenous Film  More Info
• Thursday, May 22 2008 •
07 : 30	53: Loretta Napoleoni Business Breakfast International terrorism expert and economist, Loretta Napoleoni, discusses her book 'Rogue Economics' over breakfast. Café Sydney 07:30 to 09:00 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Literary Lunch/Dinner  More Info
10 : 00	58: Chris Masters: Jonestown & the Nieman Conference Chris Masters speaks about his 2007 Walkley winning expose on Alan Jones. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 10:00 to 11:00 Free Event Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info
11 : 30	67: Just Words: Australian Authors Writing for Justice Bernadette Brennan explores the relationship between writing and justice with Frank Brennan, Anita Heiss and Gail Jones. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 11:30 to 12:30 Free Event Current Affairs, Culture & Heritage, Indigenous Panel  More Info
13 : 00	81: My Friend the Fanatic Sadanand Dhume discusses his portrait of Indonesia painted through the travels of a pair of unlikely protagonists. Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio 13:00 to 14:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction, Travel, In Conversation  More Info
14 : 30	92: Cities on the Edge Chris Womersley, Sally Breen, Marcus Westbury and Gabrielle Gwyther discuss how urban environments give rise to creativity. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 14:30 to 15:30 Free Event Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, History Panel  More Info 91: New Insights in Australian History Patrick Lindsay and James Boyce talk about their books 'Fromelles' and 'Van Diemen’s Land'. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 14:30 to 15:30 Ticketed Event Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, History Panel  More Info 93: James Reston Jr in Conversation James Reston Jr provides a fly-on-the-wall account of his involvement with the Frost/Nixon interviews. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 14:30 to 15:30 Ticketed Event History, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info
16 : 00	100: David Davidar in Conversation David Davidar speaks about one of the bloodiest and most shameful incidents in India’s long history. Pier 2/3, Downstairs 16:00 to 17:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Fiction, History In Conversation  More Info
16 : 30	105: Princesses and Pornstars Emily Maguire discusses women’s rights in the era of mainstream porn, botox and the celebrity diet. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 16:30 to 17:30 Free Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction In Conversation  More Info
18 : 30	120: An Unimagined Evening with Imran Ahmad in Parramatta Imran Ahmad speaks about his memoir 'Unimagined' with Randa Abdel Fattah. Riverside Theatres, Lennox Theatre 18:30 to 19:45 Free Event Life Writing, Current Affairs Author Talk  More Info
• Friday, May 23 2008 •
10 : 00	130: Blubberland Elizabeth Farrelly asks why we find it so hard to abandon habits we know to be destructive. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 10:00 to 11:00 Free Event Current Affairs, Science & Environment In Conversation  More Info 128: David Rieff on ABC Radio National’s Book Show David Rief discusses 'Swimming in a Sea of Death', a memoir of his mother Susan Sontag’s final illness. Pier 2/3, Downstairs 10:00 to 11:00 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info
11 : 30	141: Behind the Scenes Lisa Forrest and Patrick Lindsay shed light on two events of Australian history. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 11:30 to 12:30 Free Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction Panel  More Info 143: Lynne Segal in Conversation with Drusilla Modjeska Lynne Segal considers the factors that shaped a generation of activists into the women’s liberation movement. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 11:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info 140: Fundamental Facts Loretta Napoleoni and Sadanand Dhume talk about the fundamentalism and the economic reality of terrorism with George Negus. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 11:30 to 12:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs Panel  More Info
13 : 00	155: The Simple Life Michael Pollan and Elizabeth Farrelly consider why we find it so hard to abandon destructive habits. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 13:00 to 14:00 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
14 : 30	163: Modern Citizenship Lucinda Holdforth and James Arvanitakis discuss what it means to be a good citizen. Bangarra Theatre 14:30 to 15:30 Free Event Current Affairs Panel  More Info 166: Following the Big Issues Peter Heller and Sadanand Dhume discuss their politically inspired travelogues. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 14:30 to 15:30 Free Event Travel, Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
17 : 30	182: The Monthly Third Birthday Celebration Celebrate The Monthly’s third birthday with David Marr, Craig Sherborne, Robyn Davidson and Gideon Haigh and Sally Warhaft. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 17:30 to 19:00 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
18 : 30	186: Paul Ham at Campbelltown Library Paul Ham tells the full story of Australia's involvement in our longest military campaign. Campbelltown HJ Daley Central Library 18:30 to 19:30 Free Event History, Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs Author Talk  More Info
19 : 00	191: When Is War Justified? The Friday Night Salon  * SOLD OUT * Three very different individuals attack or defend the 20th century’s major conflicts. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 19:00 to 21:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, New Media, Nonfiction Special Event  More Info
• Saturday, May 24 2008 •
09 : 30	198: John Gray in Conversation  * SOLD OUT * John Gray speaks about his new book, 'Black Mass', a powerful argument about apocalyptic religion and global conflict. Pier 2/3, Downstairs 09:30 to 10:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info   203: The Whale Warriors: Peter Heller in Conversation Award winning travel writer Peter Heller discusses 'The Whale Warriors'. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 09:30 to 10:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Travel In Conversation  More Info
10 : 00	206: Love and Money Anne Manne looks at the value our society places on love and economics. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 10:00 to 11:00 Free Event Current Affairs Lecture  More Info   209: The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman discuss an Afghani refugee’s extraordinary journey. Sydney Philharmonia Choir Studio 10:00 to 11:00 Free Event Current Affairs, Life Writing Panel  More Info
11 : 30	216: Foreign Correspondents Foreign correspondents Leigh Sales and Kirsty Needham discuss their work. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 11:30 to 12:30 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info   218: Loretta Napoleoni in Conversation Loretta Napoleoni talks about her new book, 'Rogue Economics', with Lloyd Cox. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 4 11:30 to 12:30 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info
14 : 00	236: Jon Lee Anderson and Andrew Bacevich in Conversation Jon Lee Anderson and Andrew Bacevich talk about why Iraq isn’t over yet. Pier 2/3, Downstairs 14:00 to 15:00 Ticketed Event History, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
14 : 30	241: Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature Anthology editors and contributors discuss their groundbreaking collection. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 14:30 to 15:30 Free Event Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, Indigenous Panel  More Info
15 : 30	248: Brazil Carmen Michael and Thomas Kohnstamm talk about their Brazilian adventures with Claire Scobie. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 15:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Life Writing Panel  More Info
16 : 00	253: PEN Voices: The 3 Writers Project Gideon Haigh, Christos Tsiolkas and Mara Moustafine explore the prickly issues facing contemporary Australia. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 16:00 to 17:00 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs, Indigenous Panel  More Info   254: Pornstars, Princesses and Lost Boys Emily Maguire and Sam de Brito consider contemporary Australian gender politics. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 4 16:00 to 17:00 Free Event Current Affairs, Fiction Panel  More Info
17 : 00	257: The Lost Art of Oratory Former politicians join former speech writers to discuss the potential for an Australian oratory. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 17:00 to 18:30 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info   256: Commentariat Leading media commentators discuss what power Op-Ed pages have in shaping national and international policy. Pier 2/3, Downstairs 17:00 to 18:00 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
17 : 30	334: Robert Manne in Conversation Robert Manne, one of Australia's foremost public intellectuals, has made extensive contribution to public debate in Australia. He speaks with Martin Krygier. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 17:30 to 18:30 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info
• Sunday, May 25 2008 •
09 : 30	267: Dear Mr Rudd: Ideas for Australia Leading Australian thinkers discuss their hopes and expectations for the country’s future. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 09:30 to 10:30 Free Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction Panel  More Info
10 : 00	271: Paul Ham in Conversation Paul Ham discusses his new book 'Vietnam: the Australian War'. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 4 10:00 to 11:00 Free Event History, Culture & Heritage, Current Affairs, In Conversation  More Info
11 : 00	280: Don Watson’s American Journey Don Watson explores his ambivalence and affection for the nation that has influenced him more than any other. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 11:00 to 12:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Life Writing Author Talk  More Info 277: Peter van Onselen in Conversation What does it take to paint a picture of Australia’s head of government? Peter van Onselen shares his experiences with George Negus. Pier 2/3, Downstairs 11:00 to 12:00 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Life Writing, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info
12 : 30	290: Jon Lee Anderson on Latin America Jon Lee Anderson has been writing about conflict zones for over 20 years. He speaks about Latin America. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 2/3 12:30 to 13:30 Free Event History, Current Affairs In Conversation  More Info 291: The Future of Feminism Sarah Hall, Emily Maguire and Lynne Segal discuss the relevance, achievements and future of feminism. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 12:30 to 13:30 Ticketed Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs, History Panel  More Info 292: Women in Politics  * SOLD OUT * Margaret Reynolds and Margot Saville discuss the importance of women in politics. Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio 12:30 to 13:30 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction, Life Writing Panel  More Info
13 : 00	295: Now and Beyond Elizabeth Farrelly and Richard Watson discuss the future and what we might do to ensure that when we get there, it will be worth staying. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 13:00 to 14:00 Free Event Current Affairs Panel  More Info
14 : 00	306: American Dreaming Don Watson, James Reston Jr, Andrew Bacevich and Ian Klaus discuss the USA, home to the best and worst of everything. Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay 14:00 to 15:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, History Panel  More Info 303: An Unimagined Journey with Imran Ahmad Imran Ahmad speaks about his memoir 'Unimagined' with Bruce Elder. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 14:00 to 15:00 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Current Affairs Author Talk  More Info 301: Creative Dissent Can satirists, bloggers, musicians and performers challenge the status quo? Museum of Contemporary Art 14:00 to 15:30 Free Event New Media, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
14 : 30	309: Investigative Journalism Investigative journalists Paul Cleary and Tanya Levin discuss their work. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 14:30 to 15:30 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info
15 : 30	317: Margaret Reynolds in Conversation with Carmen Lawrence Margaret Reynolds talks with Carmen Lawrence about a life lived in politics. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 15:30 to 16:30 Ticketed Event Life Writing, Current Affairs, Nonfiction In Conversation  More Info
16 : 00	320: The Future of the Liberal Party A panel of political animals make sense of the recent election and consider the future of the Liberal Party. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 1 16:00 to 17:00 Free Event Nonfiction, Current Affairs Panel  More Info 322: The Battle for Bennelong Journalist Margot Saville speaks about Maxine McKew’s recent history-making claim for the seat of Bennelong. Sydney Dance Company, Studio 4 16:00 to 17:00 Free Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction In Conversation  More Info
17 : 00	329: Ian Klaus in Conversation What happens when a Rhodes scholar ventures into Iraqi Kurdistan to teach US history? Ian Klaus discusses his story. Sydney Theatre, Richard Wherrett Studio 17:00 to 18:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, History, Travel In Conversation  More Info 325: Launch: Recollections of Mr Manoly Lascaris Brandl & Schlesinger launches Vrasidas Karalis’ new book. Bangarra Mezzanine 17:00 to 18:30 Free Event Life Writing, Current Affairs, Culture & Heritage Launch  More Info 327: Imagined Futures Lynne Segal and Richard Watson consider what the future might hold. Pier 2/3, Upstairs Writers’ Salon 17:00 to 18:00 Ticketed Event Current Affairs, Nonfiction Panel  More Info

Bookings - Please refer to each Event for Booking Information.