Media Release
The Commonwealth's Best Writers Go Country!
5 May 2004
Some of the Commonwealth’s best writers will be visiting Geelong and Warrnambool on Monday 10 May. The 1995 Commonwealth Writers Prize winner Adib Khan will join 2004 regional winners Australia’s Michelle de Kretser, Canada’s Frances Itani and South Africa’s Diane Awerbuck for readings in both towns.
The regional tour is part of a week-long program of events, including readings in selected suburban and regional centres. The international writers are competing in the prestigious Commonwealth Writers Prize (CWP). The State Library of Victoria is hosting the final judging between 10 and 15 May. The program is the highlight of the Library’s ‘Wordfest,’ part of its 150th Anniversary Program.
The Best Book and Best First Book winners will be announced at a dinner in the State Library’s Cowen Gallery on Saturday 15 May. The Awards are valued at 10,000 pounds ($24,500) and 3,000 pounds ($7,300) respectively. In addition, the winner of the Best Book award will be invited to London for an audience with Her Majesty, The Queen.
The Commonwealth Writers Prize is one of the most important literary prizes in the world. It was established by the Commonwealth Foundation in 1987 to encourage and reward the upsurge of new Commonwealth fiction and ensure that works of merit reach a wider audience outside their country of origin.
Join authors Adib Khan, Michelle de Kretser, Frances Itani and Diane Awerbuck on:
Monday 10 May
Geelong Gallery, Little Malop Street, 11am–12 noon. Free. Bookings are essential. Bookings: 03 5229 3645
Monday 10 May
Warrnambool Library, 25 Liebig Street, 6.30pm–7.30pm, $6 includes light refreshments. Bookings are essential. Bookings: 03 5562 2258
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