Key Takeaways
- The Adelaide festival has removed Randa Abdel-Fattah from its lineup due to concerns over "cultural sensitivity" following the Bondi terror attack.
- Abdel-Fattah has accused the festival board of "blatant and shameless" anti-Palestinian racism and censorship.
- The decision has sparked widespread criticism and withdrawals from fellow writers and sponsors, including the Australia Institute and Stella prize-winning poet Evelyn Araluen.
- The festival board has formed a subcommittee to oversee the ongoing review and guide decisions about Adelaide Writers’ Week.
- The removal of Abdel-Fattah has been condemned by many, including the Adelaide-based publisher Pink Shorts Press, which is considering whether to continue its collaboration with the festival.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Adelaide festival has found itself at the center of a controversy after removing prominent academic and Palestine advocate Randa Abdel-Fattah from its lineup. The decision was made citing concerns over "cultural sensitivity" in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. Abdel-Fattah was due to appear at the festival’s Writers’ Week next month, where she was scheduled to host a number of panels and sessions. The festival’s board stated that it had been "shocked and saddened" by the tragic events at Bondi and had made the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah from the lineup after a review undertaken over the past few weeks.
Response from Randa Abdel-Fattah
Abdel-Fattah has responded to the decision, accusing the festival board of "blatant and shameless" anti-Palestinian racism and censorship. She stated that the board’s attempt to associate her with the Bondi massacre was "despicable" and that she had been stripped of her humanity and agency. Abdel-Fattah also took aim at Australian arts and cultural institutions, accusing them of displaying "utter contempt and inhumanity towards Palestinians" since 7 October 2023. She expressed confidence that the writing community and public would respond with "principle and integrity" to the decision.
Festival Board’s Justification
The festival board has justified its decision, stating that it did not suggest that Abdel-Fattah or her writings had any connection with the tragedy at Bondi. However, the board said that it had formed the view that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. The board acknowledged that the decision would likely be disappointing to many in the community and recognized that it would cause discomfort and pressure to other participants. The board emphasized that the decision had not been taken lightly and that it was committed to promoting community cohesion.
Wider Condemnation and Withdrawals
The decision to remove Abdel-Fattah from the lineup has sparked widespread condemnation and withdrawals from fellow writers and sponsors. The Australia Institute announced the withdrawal of its sponsorship for the 2026 event, stating that censoring or canceling authors was not in the spirit of an open and free exchange of ideas. Stella prize-winning poet Evelyn Araluen was one of the first writers to publicly withdraw, describing the board’s decision as a "devastating betrayal" of the democratic ethos that has defined the festival. Other writers, including First Nations academic and writer Chelsea Watego, have also withdrawn from the festival in solidarity with Abdel-Fattah.
Impact on the Festival and Writers’ Week
The removal of Abdel-Fattah from the lineup has significant implications for the festival and Writers’ Week. The festival board has formed a subcommittee to oversee the ongoing review and guide decisions about Adelaide Writers’ Week. The board and senior executive will be communicating with all Adelaide Writers’ Week participants in the coming days. The festival has a long and important history of engaging in conversations that are important to all Australians, and the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah has been condemned by many as censorship. The Adelaide-based publisher Pink Shorts Press has strongly condemned the removal of Abdel-Fattah from programming and is considering whether to continue its collaboration with the festival.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The controversy surrounding the removal of Randa Abdel-Fattah from the Adelaide festival lineup has significant implications for the festival, Writers’ Week, and the broader arts and cultural community. The decision has sparked widespread criticism and withdrawals, and has raised important questions about cultural sensitivity, censorship, and the role of arts and cultural institutions in promoting community cohesion. As the festival board continues to review its operations and interactions, it is clear that the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah will have far-reaching consequences for the festival and the broader community. The writing community and public will be watching closely to see how the festival board responds to the criticism and whether it will reconsider its decision to remove Abdel-Fattah from the lineup.