Castlemaine State Festival Literature Program

Lisa D’Onofrio has coordinated this year’s literature program and is a literacy activist, promoter and educator with over 20 years experience in reader/writer development.

The Literature Program is fun, fresh and feisty, featuring some of our regions finest combined with handpicked talent from elsewhere.

The program is designed to not only showcase our abundant crop of local writers, speakers and storytellers, but also make connections with aspects of the wider Festival program, with the 7@11 series. Where else can you witness a Spanish Clown with a degree in maths, a drummer who co-wrote one of Australia’s finest anthems and a veteran feminist comedian and celebrant?

A feature of the program is our use of special venues – from the Potteresque Mount of Alex book store to the historic Castlemaine Courthouse and the atmospheric Maldon Atheneum Library. These venues were specifically chosen for their relevance to the work presented – and inspire the feeling of being part of something moving, intimate and important. Participation is also an attribute of this program – in many cases questions from the audience are encouraged!

Although a cliche, there really is something for all ages – from our littlest with Baby, Toddler and Story times (each with a guest of honour) to brave 7 year olds and up – with the mysterious blend of puppetry, storytelling and video in The Spookmaster. Speaking of puppetry, projected image and poetry – Each Map of Scars is a Castlemaine Created show which brings audiences of 15 years up, into an encounter with our shared human vulnerability.

Timely and moving, Unknown a poetry reading by poets and activists Janet Galbraith and Arad Nik, explores how the differences between people of diverse cultures, genders, languages and life experiences divide and defy understanding. This will be a very special exchange, a sharing of food and stories, made more poignant by Eaten Fish providing the accompanying image for the event, and one not to be missed.

Full Literature program