Mercury, PHIL BECK – p.9 – 29 July 2006

MOVE over artists, now it’s time for the writers to have a go.

After three successful years staging Living Artists’ Week, arts@work this year is showcasing Tasmanian literature with the inaugural Living Writers’ Week.

Author and festival co-ordinator David Owen said yesterday almost 150 events were planned during the week which runs from August 11 to 20.

“There will be plenty of opportunities for people to get involved and enjoy themselves,” Mr Owen said.

“There is great variety and most of the events, half of which have been devised by local communities, are free.”

The festival’s official launch will be held at the Tasmanian Museum and Arts Gallery on Friday, August 11 at noon.

This event will also see the launch of a landmark National Museum of Australia publication Keeping Culture: Aboriginal Tasmania.

Nine writers have contributed to the publication

including former ATSIC commissioner Rodney Dillon and poet and playwright Jim Everett who has 30 years’ formal involvement in the Aboriginal struggle.

The writers will discuss the book and read extracts at the University of Tasmania’s

Newnham campus on Saturday, August 12 at noon and at the Tiagarra Aboriginal Culture Centre and Museum at Devonport on Sunday, August 13 at 11 am.

Several other books will be launched during the week.

A highlight of the festival will be the first-ever Tasmanian book fair, to be held in the atrium of Hobart Henry Jones Art Hotel on Sunday, August 13.

Up to 300 Tasmanian titles will be available for purchase, and many authors will be present to sign books.