The hardest thing about working behind the scenes at AWF is we don’t get to see much of it! Occasionally we’re able to grab a moment and get to catch an author or two. These are events we managed to dip into — and what we thought of them.
Catriona Ferguson – Managing Director
A real Festival highlight for me was witnessing a sold-out venue come together to sing Te Aroha for Tareq Baconi on his birthday. Huge kudos to Kaan Hiini for leading the waiata and making the moment so memorable, and for chairing such an engaging event.
Suzanne McNamara –Marketing & Audience Manager
I had read Wild Dark Shore not long before the festival, so I couldn’t believe my luck when I had some downtime and was able to attend Charlotte McConaghy’s event. I was struck by the depth of her thinking on issues like climate change, the decision to have children or not, and what kind of world we are leaving for future generations. Charlotte spoke about her visit to Macquarie Island, a sub-Antarctic island where she encountered evidence of its dark history of seal hunting. Macquarie Island went on to shape the book.
Grace Sinclair – Programme Manager
My highlight was being part of the intimate, late-night Herald Theatre crowd to quiver in delight [and sometimes disgust] at The Spice Salon, expertly mc'ed by Sam Te Kani, with readings both tender and salacious from Joseph Trinidad, Maria Reva, Laura Borrowdale and Tony Tulathimutte.
Lydia Capill – Partnerships Manager
I managed to see Grieving Together, poets Nafanua Purcell Kersel and Michael Pedersen shared deeply personal and moving works shaped by their own grief. The quiet, reflective atmosphere felt a world away from the vibrant festival buzz just beyond the venue doors.
Lyndsey Fineran – Artistic Director
Gala Night is the only session I get to see the whole of during the Festival – but what a joy it was. Seeing eight writers step out in front of a 2000+ strong audienceto bravely share a“compass reset” moment from their lives – which were at turnspoignant,funnyandthought-provoking- was very moving, and got theFestival weekend off tovery specialstart.
Jo Reive – Administration Manager
Patrick Radden Keefe chaired by Jack Tame was a highlight. The deep thinking of both was apparent, coupled with the respectfulness they afforded each other. The range of material discussed made the time fly by. Having read Empire of Pain and watched Say Nothing, I cannot wait to dive into London Falling.
August Elworthy – Intern extraodinaire
I managed to stop in at Josh Silver’s workshop at Plot Twist. He went over what it takes to write well in a way that was simple and inspiring without being daunting. Large parts of it was just him conversing on level ground with the attendees. Josh asked just as many questions as were directed at him. He quizzed people about their writing and lives. On the shared tables I saw lots of conversations between strangers which was great to see.