The 2nd annual Canberra Writers Festival kicks off this weekend for another year of book launches, speakers, and literary excellence. This year the event will be focused around the theme of Power, Passion and Politics, reflecting the city's love affair with learning, knowledge and leadership.

The three-day festival will attract book lovers, readers and writers from around the nation and the local community and is held in an array of venues including The National Library of Australia, Old Parliament House, The Australian National University, National Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, National Press Club and the Hotel Realm Precinct.  

There’s a mixture of free and ticketed events as well as events for young and old, but to help you out, we have put together a round up of our top 5 events that are not to be missed.

 

Ian McPhedran in conversation at the Members Dining Room 2, Museum of Australian Democracy

2:30pm Friday 25 August

Ian McPhedran is the former Sydney-based national defence writer for News Corp Australia and has covered conflicts in Burma, Somalia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq. At this event Ian will chat about The Smack Track and the high-energy exploits and explosive adventures of the Royal Australian Navy in the Arabian Gulf, from battling pirates to tracking down gun runners, drug smugglers and terrorists.

 

Women at Work at the National Library of Australia

3:15pm Friday 25 August

Hear leading lights in Australian women’s advocacy talk about what can be done to level this grossly uneven seesaw and why Australia would benefit from helping women achieve their rightful place at work.

 

 

Clyde Rathbone: Rethinking Social Media at the National Library of Australia

4pm Saturday 26 August

Brothers Clyde and Dayne Rathbone have built Karma, an antidote to the self-indulgent problems of mainstream social media, by harnessing the power of human stories. In this event Clyde tells the story of his unexpected journey into tech entrepreneurship and why he believes that solving these problems is critically important for the future of humanity.

 

Griffith Review Millennials Strike Back at the National Library of Australia

4pm Saturday 26 August

If you were born in the last part of the 20th century, you've already heard the standard criticisms: pampered; no commitment; no idea of how good you've got it compared to back in the day. Join Yolande Norris, Cameron Muir, Anna Snoekstra, Frances Flanagan and Michael Newton for a discussion about the book and the millennial generation.

 

 

John Safran in conversation with Troy Bramston at the Museum of Australian Democracy

4:00pm Saturday 26 August

John Safran is an award-winning documentary-maker who’s won Australian Film Industry awards and co-hosted Sunday Night Safran, a radio talk show on Triple J with Father Bob Maguire. Join Safran in conversation with senior writer and columnist with The Australian Troy Bramston about the overarching theme of Power, Passion, and Politics.

 

 For more information visit: www.canberrawritersfestival.com.au