Words in Winter is our much loved annual literary and arts festival held in August each year in Hepburn, Daylesford and surrounding districts. It is a celebration of words, stories and ideas shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors and exhibitions. The festival starts this evening and runs through the weekend.
David Hall and his late wife, Lorelle, who were new to Daylesford at the time, floated the idea of a festival of words to his friends to celebrate the strength of the local creative community. And at the turn of the century, the Words in Winter Festival was born.
Arnold Zable. (Photo: Hillary French)
The full program is available on the Words in Winter site. It’s full of author talks, music, poetry and workshops across sites in Hepburn Springs and Daylesford. Many of the events are free; others charge a small fee at the door or entry by donation.
Here are a few of the events that The Wombat Post editor has highlighted for his weekend of words but study the program and make your own selections.
Bruce Pascoe (Photo: Rachel Mounsey, Gippslandia)
The program for Friday evening features well known Melbourne storyteller and novelist, Arnold Zable who will talk about his writer’s journey culminating in his most recent books, The Glass Horse of Venice and The Watermill, tales exploring themes of survival, humanity, and resistance spanning the globe. Book editor, producer, festival director and co-host of The Cicada Story Slam, Maia Irell will MC of the evening.
Bruce Pascoe, author of Dark Emu will be the special guest at an “In Conversation” evening at the Masonic Centre, 16 Vincent St, Daylesford, on Saturday evening at 6:30. Local Beck Lister will host a chat with Bruce, Wiradjeri poet Alison J. Barton and spoken word/cabaret artist Amy Bodossian. Tickets are $30 from the Words in Winter website. Bruce will also be reading from his children’s companion book, Young Dark Emu at Paradise Books, 46 Vincent St, Daylesford, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday. Entry is free.
Benoît Oury and Petrus Spronk
Beloved local artist, Petrus Spronk, will join renowned clarinetist Benoît Oury in a special performance titled “Acceptance is the Door to Freedom” at Radius Art Space from 4:30 to 5:30 pm on Sunday, August 25. Petrus will talk about his experience with cancer and how he overcame it with Benoît providing musical background colour for the presentation. The performance is a repeat of an earlier performance at Yandoit Cultural. Stay around for the presentation of the Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize and enjoy a drink or two at Radius afterwards.
Trevor Shard
And after seeing Petrus, wander across the street to the Hepburn Community Hub at 113 Main Road Hepburn to see Trevor Shard on guitar and keyboards in his “Connection of the Heart” inspired evening of love songs. Trevor will have copies of his new CD available. Tickets are $20 ($15 concession) and available at the door.
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Petrus Spronk rejoices in Daylesford’s most loved festival.
