The English Department is very well represented at the WORD Christchurch Spring Festival, which runs from 29 October to 1 November at various venues across the central city.
- Paul Millar appears in conversation with one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed and versatile writers, Vincent O’ Sullivan, on Friday from 3-4pm.
- Philip Armstrong will be in discussion with Australian novelist Laura Jean McKay, in ‘Talking Animals’ (Saturday 10:30-11:30am), where they ask “what would the animals say if they could talk to us?”
- Sionainn Byrnes, who defended her PhD this week(!), has been working with WORD as their youth and community coordinator. She has supported the inaugural Youth Jury in organising events, including ‘In Other Words’, which offers readings in English, te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language (Saturday 1:30-2:15pm). She has also coordinated the New Regent Street Festival, a popular free event that runs on Saturday night from 6-7:30pm.
- Erin Harrington joins Elizabeth Knox, Jonathan King and Noelle McCarthy in the ‘Halloween Book Club’ (Saturday 1:30-2:30pm), where they will celebrate the work of American writer Shirley Jackson. Erin is also hosting one of the New Regent Street pop up events, ‘Metamorphoses’, in which writers share work about horror and bodies.
- Rebecca Nash features in ‘Metamorphoses’, as well as other events in the pop up festival.
- Ursula Bethell Writer in Residence Nathan Joe is appearing in loads of events throughout the weekend, including rainbow youth event ‘Tell It Slant’ (Saturday 3-4pm), ‘Letters to Ōtautahi’ (Saturday 4:30 – 5:30), and ‘Stand Up Poetry: A Quiz Show’ (Sunday 6-8pm).
Many past writers in residence, current and former UC colleagues, and friends of the department feature throughout the programme, which includes lots of free and family-friendly events. We would love to see you there. Programme information.
