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State Library of NSW and NSW Government back 70+ new Sydney Writers’ Festival literary events.
Sydney Writers’ Festival today introduces a landmark partnership with the State Library of NSW, supported by the NSW Government, to deliver a new year-round program of literary events in addition to its annual Festival, beginning this September.
The partnership will create a dedicated literature hub in Sydney, providing a dynamic, year-round home for storytelling. It will boost participation in literary events, embed reading and writing into Sydney’s cultural identity, and deliver a diverse program of events, workshops and readings. The initiative will also support global literary exchange and nurture emerging talent through appearances by international and local authors. Crucially, it will provide an inclusive and accessible platform for NSW’s diverse communities, amplifying underrepresented voices and strengthening the connection between writers and readers.
Minister for the Arts John Graham said, “In Australia, writers earn on average $18,500 per year, yet reading and writing are vital to our personal wellbeing, and to our collective prosperity. The NSW Government is pleased to support this partnership between the Sydney Writers’ Festival and the State Library of NSW. The partnership recognises the role libraries play as the homes for readers and writers, and the great contribution that writers festivals play in taking what is quite a solitary act – reading – and transforming it into community experience.
“This $1.5 million investment into a year-around program will benefit us all, strengthening the cultural heartbeat of our city, creating a home for readers and writers – a place for discussion, ideas, reflection, discovery. This investment is the first step in our upcoming writing and literature strategy – the first time an Australian government has put together a comprehensive strategy to support the writing and literature sector.”
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb said, “Sydney Writers' Festival is proud to partner with the State Library of NSW — a relationship that began almost 30 years ago, when some of our earliest events were held there. This new chapter allows us to extend the spirit of the Festival year-round, engaging loyal audiences and inviting new readers to discover the power of books, stories, and ideas. United by a shared commitment to literature and learning, we’re working together to champion more writers, inspire readers, and nurture vibrant literary communities across NSW.”
State Librarian Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon said, “As the home of reading, research and creativity in NSW, the State Library is pleased to be partnering with Sydney Writers’ Festival to enhance our state’s cultural offering and deepen our commitment to making literature and storytelling more accessible, inclusive and engaging for all. We’re excited to welcome new and familiar visitors through our doors and continue to offer unforgettable experiences all year round.”
The first series of events, announced today and available for presale from 30 July, will bring some of the most exciting Australian and international voices to the Library Auditorium. Highlights include Stella Prize winner Michelle de Kretser, 2025 Festival favourite Hannah Kent, former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown, and Happy Endings with Melanie Saward and Saman Shad.
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