The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida tells the story of Maali Almeida, a war photographer who has woken up dead in what seems to be a celestial visa office. He has ‘seven moons’ to try and solve the mystery of his death and to help unveil a cache of photos that will rock war-torn Sri Lanka. We share a sneak peek of author Shehan Karunatilaka’s life and work, ahead of his appearance at Byron Theatre next Tuesday 23 May.
A three-day program of panels, conversations and feature events, curated around the theme of ‘Radical Hope’ filled hearts, nourished minds and sparked much-needed joy for audiences and authors alike.
Mix interesting facts about animals and nature with magic and spells, throw in a few questions about bums and farts, and you’ve got a fair chance of giggling, happy children. Adults were likewise spoiled for choice with panels covering geopolitics, crime, climate, resilience, hope and love.
A cool, wet morning ushered in a tantalising program on Day Two. Packed marquees bore witness to the unfurling conversation about climate change, connection to Country, identity and truth – that most radical of hopes. Our Southern Cross University student reporters wrap up another magnificent day.
Sunshine and clear blue skies set the tone for the first day of ‘radical hope’ at Byron Writers Festival 2022. There were ear-to-ear grins on the faces of patrons as they piled off the local solar train, eager for the first in-person version in three years of their beloved festival. The buzz was palpable as the packed program kicked off.
When & where
Friday 26 August to Sunday 28 August, 8:30am – 5:00pm
The grounds adjacent to Elements of Byron, 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay
Carpark opens at 7.45am daily
Tickets
Visit byronwritersfestival.com/tickets or call (02) 6685 5115
A small allocation of 1-Day, 3-Day and Sunday Family/Kids passes will be available for purchase at the gate from 8.30am each day (if not sold out prior). However, we strongly advise that you book now to avoid disappointment.
Can’t find your ticket?
If you have lost your Byron Writers Festival ticket, workshop, special event ticket or membership number, please click here: LOST TICKETS
You will just need the email address you booked with. Your lost tickets will be sent from Trybooking, please check your junk email if you can’t find them.
How does my e-ticket work?
If you have booked online or over the phone you will receive your tickets in an email from our ticketing site, TryBooking. Be sure to check your junk mail for this email if you can’t find it. Before you approach the festival gates:
Train
Catch the Byron Bay Solar Train from Byron Bay CBD to North Beach Station (festival site), a free service provided by Byron Writers Festival. Trains leave Byron Bay CBD every half hour. Timetable at byronwritersfestival.com/travel
Shuttle bus
A festival shuttle bus will operate every 30 minutes from 7.30am between Byron Bay Interchange and the festival site. Final departure from the festival is at 6pm on Friday and Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. The shuttle bus is a free service provided by Byron Writers Festival.
Car
Limited car parking is available at the festival site from 7.45am. Parking is by donation. We encourage carpooling if possible. Please park as directed by the parking attendants and ensure that you obey Council parking signs. No parking is permitted in the Elements of Byron Resort car park.
Can I purchase food and drinks on site?
Yes! A range of food stalls will be serving delicious local meals and snacks. There are great coffee outlets, as well as a festival bar.
BYO bottle for water refills
We are a plastic water bottle free event. Please BYO bottles for free refills from our water stations.
The Book Room and book signing
Come and explore the pop-up festival bookshop. Our bookseller, The Book Room, stocks books by all festival authors, with plenty of room to browse and shop. Bring your bookshop purchases to be signed by your favourite authors at the book signing tent next-door. Signings are held after festival sessions.
Artisan Markets
The festival’s onsite marketplace is populated by a select group of local artisans. Browse the amazing creations on offer and take home a memento.
For more details, check out our Festival Site Map
Auslan Interpretation
Selected sessions from the main program are interpreted each day (indicated on our festival program). On-demand Auslan interpreters will also be available at the festival. If you require an Auslan interpreter, visit the Information Tent at the festival site to book an on-demand interpreter for a session of your choosing. Watch our Interpreted Video Guide to Byron Writers Festival.
Disabled Parking
Limited accessible parking is available. A drop-off / pick-up zone is located close to the festival entrance. Our parking volunteers can assist and direct you accordingly. Please clearly display your disability parking permit.
For further information, please visit out accessibility webpage.
That’s it! We can’t wait to see you there.
With just a few days until we open the gates to the 2022 Byron Writers Festival, it’s time to get the highlighters out and start planning your weekend. If you’re still not sure which day to go, we’ve prepared some daily guides to help you decide.
Not sure which sessions to see? We’ve saved the best ‘til last and highlighted some of the must-see panels and conversations from the 2022 program to help you decide.
Byron Writers Festival 2022 unpacks the dark, light and murky in-between of modern society and politics. Read on for our daily digest of hand-picked must-see sessions.
Byron Writers Festival 2022 features a brains trust of experts in new and ancient methods of farming to explore the environmental and economic solutions to this major challenge.
Byron Writers Festival 2022 features a wide range of sessions that explore the real world solutions we have available to us to address the climate crisis. In line with the festival theme of Radical Hope, you can expect to feel uplifted and leave with a renewed sense of purpose in building a greener, better future for all.
Byron Writers Festival 2022 invites you to sit down and engage critically and respectfully with First Nations cultures and communities in all their diversity.
From the award-winning author of 'Stone Sky Gold Mountain' come these superbly crafted stories that explore the inner lives of those who are often ignored or misunderstood.
Becky Manawatu’s bestselling multi-award-winning novel Auē is both raw and sublime, introducing a compelling new voice in New Zealand fiction.
Byron Writers Festival 2022 mixes bestsellers and fresh new talent for three incredible days of joy and discovery.
How can we approach our current moment with radical hope? This is the question that will reverberate through Byron Writers Festival this year.
Byron Writers Festival 2022 (26 — 28 August) has revealed a taste of things to come with a tantalizing first announce of incredible guests, and with that comes a fresh stack of books to add to your bedside table. We invite you to treat yourself to some new reads from some of Australia’s best authors.
Ahead of his appearance at Byron Writers Festival 2021, author Kaya Wilson discusses his acclaimed memoir of gender transition and identity, As Beautiful as Any Other: A Memoir of My Body, and how his day job as a tsunami scientist crosses over with his writing.
First-time author Madeleine Ryan’s novel A Room Called Earth is a sensitive, humorous and lively exploration of neurodiversity, belonging, family and identity. Katinka Smit speaks with her.
Christopher Raja’s landmark memoir Into the Suburbs: A Migrant’s Story is an examination of race, class, migration and tragedy through a deeply personal lens. Here he offers his thoughts on the gestation and process of writing the book, prior to his appearance at Byron Writers Festival 2021.
