The 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival is set to take place from May 17 to May 24. This year’s program features an impressive lineup of over 200 events, including both in-person and live-streamed sessions. The festival will showcase 39 international guests and more than 220 Australian authors.
International and Australian Guests
Among the notable international guests are:
- RF Kuang
- Mick Herron
- Patrick Radden Keefe
- Jacinda Ardern
- Jimmy Wales
- David Szalay
- Susan Choi
- Yann Martel
- Roddy Doyle
- Amitav Ghosh
- Bora Chung
- Tayari Jones
- SA Crosby
- Dav Pilkey
Australian writers featured include:
- Melissa Lucashenko
- Charlotte Wood
- Trent Dalton
- Steve Toltz
- Siang Lu
- Evelyn Araluen
- Heather Rose
Festival Theme and Highlights
This year’s theme is “Show Me the Truth.” Artistic Director Ann Mossop emphasized that the festival will delve into how contemporary authors engage with truth and trust during uncertain times.
The festival will kick off with the Show Me the Truth gala, which features:
- Nikita Gill, Irish-Indian poet
- Lily King, US novelist
- Michael Pedersen, Scottish poet
- Kirili Saunders, Gunai artist
- Robbie Arnott, novelist
Noteworthy Events
Several other events are slated for the festival, including:
- After Bondi (May 17): A discussion reflecting on the 2025 Bondi terrorist attack and its impact on communities.
- The Story That Changed My Life (May 19): Journalists share transformative stories from their careers.
- Brave Conversations: When Words Offend (May 21): An exploration of critical questions in democratic life and personal relationships.
Mossop noted that the program also addresses significant issues like the future of democracy and the impact of artificial intelligence on arts and culture. Additionally, it will celebrate the anniversary of beloved Australian cookbooks and the joyful works of Dav Pilkey.
To explore more about the festival, including the full program, visit El-Balad.
