From poetry readings in wine bars to panel discussions in pizzerias, the inaugural Footscray West Writers Fest (FWWF) will transform West Footscray into a celebration of stories, people and community when it takes place next month.
Designed to showcase the vibrant literary voices of Melbourne’s west, FWWF will be held at a range of inner-west venues from March 28 to 30.
Co-founders and co-curators, Jess Lilly and Donita Richards, said they were thrilled to launch a festival that was truly for the west, by the west.
“This is about amplifying the voices of local writers and celebrating the distinct character of our communities,” they said.
“It also gives the community an opportunity to engage with familiar places in new ways, whether that’s hearing a writer read their work in a pizza restaurant or sit down at a typewriter and write their own story at a local art studio.”
Presented by West Footscray Arts and supported by Maribyrnong council, FWWF will begin on Friday, March 28 with a launch event where local authors Ernest Price, André Dao and Maxine Beneba Clarke will discuss what it means to be a writer in the west and Footscray High School students will share their stories of living in the area.
Another highlight will be esteemed writer and Western Bulldogs tragic Helen Garner discussing her new book, The Season, with former Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy at Whitten Oval on March 30.
Later that Sunday, the festival will close with Stories From the Belly of the West, where local writers will present stories inspired by Footscray’s iconic places, including the Westgate Bridge, Cheaper by Miles and Savers.
Writers appearing at FWWF include Alice Pung, Jinghua Qian, Sam Elkin and Benjamin Millar with more to be announced.
For details and tickets, visit FWWF.com.au.
