Key Takeaways
- The Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW) is Australia’s longest-running and largest free literary festival, held annually in Adelaide’s parklands.
- The festival features thought-provoking debates, discussions, and readings from local and international writers, with a mix of free and ticketed events.
- AWW sparks fierce loyalty among attendees, who travel from around the world to meet old friends and new, and to engage with their favorite authors and books.
- The festival has a rich history, with past speakers including notable authors such as Max Harris, Dorothy Porter, and Paul Keating.
- The cancellation of AWW 2026 has left a significant void in the literary community, with many attendees and authors expressing their disappointment and sadness.
Introduction to Adelaide Writers’ Week
The Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW) is a beloved literary festival held annually in Adelaide’s parklands. For those who look forward to it all year, the cancellation of AWW 2026 has come as a devastating blow. The festival is a unique and special event that brings together writers, readers, and thinkers from around the world to discuss politics, history, and literature. With its mix of free and ticketed events, AWW offers something for everyone, from casual attendees to avid book lovers.
The Festival Experience
During the festival, the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden is transformed into a vibrant and bustling hub of activity, with food trucks, bars, and portable toilets catering to the thousands of attendees. The festival features a range of events, including daily opening sessions, such as Breakfast with Papers, and evening events with notable authors and thinkers. Attendees can choose to follow a meticulous schedule or turn up spontaneously, taking their chances on what’s available. The atmosphere is civilized, casual, and often hilarious, with audience questions ranging from insightful interrogations to tinfoil-hat rants.
A Rich History
AWW has a rich history, dating back to 1960, with past speakers including notable authors such as Max Harris, Dorothy Porter, and Paul Keating. The festival has hosted a diverse range of authors, from literary giants to emerging writers, and has provided a platform for discussion and debate on a wide range of topics. Attendees have fond memories of meeting their literary heroes, such as Andy Griffiths, and engaging with authors such as Michelle de Kretser, Tim Rogers, and Helen Garner.
Tributes and Memories
Friends and attendees have shared their memories of AWW, from the thrill of taking their children to meet their literary heroes to the joy of perusing the book tent and meeting favorite authors. The enduring theme in many of the tributes is the mingling of people and ideas, both on stage and off, and the joy of shutting out the world for a while for the love of reading and writers. As South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said, AWW "remains a must-attend festival for anyone passionate about the written word, thoughtful discussion, and respectful debate".
Cancellation and Disappointment
The cancellation of AWW 2026 has left a significant void in the literary community, with many attendees and authors expressing their disappointment and sadness. The festival’s cancellation has been met with anger and frustration, particularly from those who have been loyal attendees for many years. As one attendee noted, AWW is more than just a festival – it’s a community of people who come together to celebrate the written word and engage in thoughtful discussion and debate.
Conclusion
In the normal course of things, people would be strolling off in the balmy air with bags full of books and minds full of words and plans to do it all again the next day. Only this year, we’re left to watch people try to paper over the cratering hole of AWW 2026, and hope that AWW 2027 turns a page. As a regular moderator and panellist at AWW, Tory Shepherd notes that the festival’s cancellation is a significant loss for the literary community, and one that will be deeply felt by attendees and authors alike.
