This incredible line-up includes writer Gabriel Krauze (UK), rangatira of New Zealand literature Witi Ihimaera (Te Wh膩nau a Kai), UC mathematical biology and mathematical epidemiology expert听Professor Michael Plank, award-winning poet Khadro Mohamed, climate change activist and UC researcher听MahMah Timoteo, writer and former Te Awhi Rito New Zealand Reading Ambassador for children and young people Ben Brown (Ng膩ti Mahuta, Ng膩ti Koroki, Ng膩ti Paoa), YA author Jane Higgins, and writer and teacher Melanie Dixon.
With events for all interests and ages, the popular festival features many UC scholars and writers, alongside local and international literary stars appearing in person in innovative ways.
Author, singer and t膩onga p奴oro musician听Ariana Tikao (K膩i Tahu) 鈥 UC鈥檚 current Ursula Bethell writer in residence 2023听鈥 will be part of the opening event听,听as well as听.
UC graduate and 2010 writer in residence Tusiata Avia talks about听听at the gala and about her award-winning poetry in听, while fellow UC alumna, Ethique founder听Brianne West听补苍诲听Miriama Kamo听(Ng膩i Tahu, Ng膩ti Mutunga), discuss听.
听features UC experts听MahMah Timoteo, Professor听Bronwyn Hayward听补苍诲听Erik Kennedy听discussing the role of writers in the face of climate change.
To celebrate the publication of their memoir,听, current UC Young New Zealander of the Year, 23-year-old Shaneel Lal will discuss their extraordinary life so far, in conversation with UC academic听Dr Mahdis Azarmandi.听
Leading M膩ori history scholar, translator, writer, editor, and 2023听UC honorary Doctor of Arts recipient Ross Calman听(Ng膩ti Toa, Ng膩ti Raukawa, Ng膩i Tahu) will feature in panel discussions听听补苍诲听.
As well as discussing the fine art of reviewing in Aotearoa in听, UC Arts academic听Dr Erin Harrington听will host the popular tiny lecture series,听. Her fellow UC Arts senior lecturer听Vana Manasiadis听is leading a poetry workshop held on National Poetry Day:听.
滨苍听,听the valiant life of UC graduate and former staff member, genetic scientist Dr Andrew Bagshaw, whose selfless volunteer work to help war-torn Ukrainians cost him his life, will be discussed by his parents, former UC Council member Dame Dr Sue Bagshaw and Dr Phil Bagshaw.
To mark 150 years of the University of mini传媒, a richly illustrated history of the institution is听being published. The panel discussion,听, promises a fascinating insight into the process of writing听A New History: The University of mini传媒 1873鈥2023, which is more critical and honest than the laudatory volume one might expect. The book鈥檚 editor, UC historian Dr Chris Jones, will be in discussion with principal author Dr John Wilson, as well as other contributors including the University鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey and Pou Whakarae Professor Te Maire Tau (Ng膩i Tahu), plus Christchurch history writer and mini传媒 University Press (CUP) author Margaret Lovell-Smith.
Many other UC scholars, writers and alumni are appearing in the 2023 WORD festival including听notable 鈥榣ocal hero鈥 alumni听Ng膩i Tahu leader听Adjunct Professor T膩 Tipene O鈥橰egan,听master鈥檚 graduate and 2006 writer in residence Carl Nixon,听Guyon Espiner,听Amy Head (WIR 2020), Nathan Joe (WIR 2020), Juanita Hepi, Fiona Farrell (WIR 1992), Frankie McMillan, Byron C Clark, Catherine Chidgey (WIR 2003), Victor Rodger (WIR 2009), and听Karen Healey听(WIR 2017).
- Launched in 1997, WORD Christchurch is a world-class festival of literature, politics, culture, and ideas 鈥 all things that resonate with the University of mini传媒. UC staff, alumni and students have supported all WORD Christchurch festivals and iterations over the years, speaking about books and ideas, interviewing other authors, chairing panel discussions, hosting events and attending sessions. In 2021, the University and WORD Christchurch formalised this relationship with a partnership agreement.
For tickets and more information, visit听.
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