After a brilliant post-COVID reset, the Clunes Booktown Festival will return on the last weekend in March 2023 to the historic township in Dja Dja Wurrung country. Clunes Booktown will be presented in a new format suited for the autumnal weather with event running from dawn to dark over two days, encouraging book lovers to immerse themselves in Clunes from cover to cover.
Kadir Hussein, Chair of Booktown, said the shift from the May weeknds of the past to a March festival would provide a warmer environment for book lovers and collectors to wander the outdoor stalls and market places.
“It has been risky and brisky holding a book festival in May! We are thrilled to be moving Booktown to a warmer Clunes climate so we can all enjoy our love of printed publications, books and the highly sought-after collectable editions in a dryer and less chilling environment. With the festival now in March, we can save the chills and thrills for our popular rural noir sessions!” said Kadir.
Daytime and evening events will run alongside the spectacular book bazaar which takes over the main street of Clunes featuring an extraordinary range of new, second-hand, antiquarian, contemporary, rare and popular books covering every imaginable topic and theme.
Clunes Booktown celebrates every aspect of the book – not just writing and reading but making, publishing, retailing, and sharing. Along with the wares on display, there will be conversations with writers and storytellers, renowned authors, poets and wordsmiths.
Surrounding the talks, workshops and book signings and sales will be live entertainment, street performers, plenty of activities for families and kids, and a delectable offering of food and beverages from local providores and producers.
Clunes is about thirty minutes from Daylesford by car or comfortable. Public transport is available via bus to Creswick and train to Clunes.
Clunes Booktown Festival will take place Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March 2023. For further information visit clunesbooktown.com.au. The Booktown program will be announced in late 2022. Check the website and mark you calendars now!
