The newly launched program for the 2013 Sydney Writers’ Festival includes a strong line-up of female thinkers and authors, with festival director Jemma Birrell producing a program that includes a number of sessions focused on feminism and women’s rights.
The program brings together some of Australia’s favourite female writers and commentators. Anne Summers will be discussing her new book on misogyny, Anne Deveson will share the story of her life of activism and hopes for peace, and Leigh Sales will interview Joe Rospars, President Obama’s chief digital strategist, and others about crafting political messages, stories and reputations.
Internationally acclaimed novelists Anita Desai and Claire Messud will speak about writing, their books and big ideas. Also flying in for the festival are life and love columnist and writer Cheryl Strayed, and Sylvia Nasar, the author of A Beautiful Mind and other works. Kate Mosse, Gillian Mears and Molly Ringwald are also on the program.
World of Women Festival
Women will take centre stage at the Women of the World festival coordinated by London’s Southbank Centre. Shami Chakrabarti, the director of English human rights advocacy group Liberty, will outline the story of women’s struggles for freedom and the challenges facing women today. This festival will also include an interactive workshop for girls about what being a feminist means, and how to start a campaign from your bedroom.
This is the first program coordinated by Birrell, who joined the Sydney Writers’ Festival team last year. You can see the full program here.