In theory, putting together a writers’ festival is little more than putting in place a series of moving parts. Some of the difficulties are out of the hands of festival organisers, such as proposed artists being unavailable or demanding an exorbitant fee. In our Covid-world, last minute cancellations need to be factored in.
However, one of the critical moving parts that needs to be considered is diversity, and this is well and truly something that is not only within the control of organisers, it has to be front and centre from the moment planning starts.
In putting together the program for Melbourne Jewish Book Week 2022, the programming committee ensured diversity of voice, theme, age, background – yes, background, not every artist is Jewish – and, of course, gender.
There are many outstanding Jewish women of words taking part in MJBW 2022, including Maria Tumarkin, Sarah Krasnostein, Rivka Galchen, Mireille Juchau, Natasha Sholl, Dalit Kaplan, Danielle Celermajer, Lee Kofman, Andrea Goldsmith, Lisa Emanuel and Alice Zaslavsky.
I believe the MJBW 2022 festival program has something for everyone – from profound discussion to pure entertainment, literature to food, politics to music. A Nobel Prize recipient, a Booker Prize winner, and winners of more awards and accolades that I could possible list here. Perhaps most importantly, the festival provides the opportunity to celebrate and support our local authors, at in-person events.
MJBW 2022 is taking place from 28-31 May. Program details and tickets can be found at www.melbournejewishbookweek.com.au
MJBW is offering a double pass giveaway to their Opening Night Gala event on Saturday 28 May 2022. The first person to email us at info@jewishwomenofwords.com.au and agrees to submit a brief review will win the free tickets.
