A Writers Festival, presented by a team of acclaimed and experienced novelists and journalists, will be held in the idyllic setting of New Norcia on 12 September.
The inaugural event, which the New Norcia community will be hosting in conjunction with The West Australian newspaper, will offer participants the opportunity to hear and learn from some of WA’s leading writers, which will include readings accompanied by music and dance as well as a piano recital and writers panel discussion.
The day will be divided into five sessions and will include a tour of New Norcia’s library, monastery and music room, as well as the opportunity to visit the Abbey’s printing press.
Presentations will include contributions from acclaimed London-born writer Liz Byrski; The West Australian Literary Editor, William Yeoman; dancer and choreographer, Floeur Alder; award-winning novelist and West Australian Travel Editor, Stephen Scourfield; and WA authors, Deb Fitzpatrick and New Norcia’s Abbot Emeritus Bernard Rooney.
The idea of holding the Festival at New Norcia stemmed from Will Yeoman’s attraction for the site, which he has been visiting over the past 20 years.
“I’ve always been struck by the melancholy beauty and numinous quality of the monastery, the colleges and their surrounds,” Mr Yeoman said.
“So when a group of us here in Perth starting talking about establishing a new writers festival that would offer a different kind of experience for readers and writers, New Norcia seemed like a natural fit. Luckily for us, the community and members of staff have embraced the idea wholeheartedly, with the result that we’ve put together a one-day program as a pilot festival of sorts, with the expectation that if all goes well, we’ll expand to a full weekend next year.”
New Norcia Communications Manager, Lucy Nicholson, said the day was open to anyone interested in books, the arts or New Norcia.
“We are very excited about the Festival,” she said.
“But make sure you let people know that they need to book in as soon as possible because there are limited spaces available.”
For bookings, contact Lucy Nicholson on (08) 9654 8018 or email communications@newnorcia.wa.edu.au, or for more information visit www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au.