26/05/2026
Another fine annual Sydney Writers Festival (SWF2026) is in the books.
Attended two excellent events last week :
1)We Can’t Handle The Truth at Town Hall on Thursday 21 May.
A Great Debate with Annabel Crabb,Matilda Boseley and Reuben Kaye on one side with David Marr, Rhys Nicholson and Jennifer Wong on the other side.
Moderated by Yumi Stynes,it largely lived up to its billing as a saucy and suggestive comedy debate about our appetite for the truth.
Covering everything from Claude The AI apps impact on Annabel Crabbs’ speechwriting,child labour in cobalt mining for smart phones,the impact to beach houses by recent changes to negative gearing and capital gains taxes,salacious digs at Alan Jones,David Marr,Rupert Murdoch and Rhys Nicholson for lifestyle choices,the state of Sydney’s late nite dining scene (or lack thereof) for Melbourne visitors according to Reuben Kaye,and Woking from home in the 2020s (thank you Jennifer Wong for this pun),there was a mix of sharp observations,witty one liners and uncomfortable truths all jostling for attention from the speakers on both sides.
2)Family Secrets at Carriageworks on Sunday 24 May
A fascinating,nuanced discussion on the beauty and burdens families share.
Moderator Sisonke Msimang asked interesting questions of three talented and articulate writers,the eminent Korean American author Susan Choi,Bornean Australian artist and writer Omar Musa (poet and recent author of Fierceland) and Sri Lankan, Australian based writer S Shakthidharan (playwright and author of Gather Up Your World In One Long Breath).
The intersection between family life,capitalism and colonialism, the price paid by first generation migrants and their families to provide future opportunities for their children,the impacts of the Japanese occupation on Borneo,the social and environmental impacts of palm oil versus it being a key source of income to lift many farmers out of poverty in Indonesia,South East Asia,Central and West Africa,were all explored.
Whilst centered on their most recent books, there was lots of thoughtful discussion,wrestling with the perils and pearls of life exemplified in each writers work.
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