Key Listeners @ Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival 2023

Our Festival comes full circle as we begin to hear from some of our Key Listeners. These were people drawn to the festival in various ways-audience, participants, fans, writers and of course readers. We asked them what they thought, heard, felt throughout the festival and it is a joy to hear what they said. Here is the first of these listeners Umi who won tickets to the Gala at the Farmer Market and ended up staying for the weekend!

Umi Asaka-Key Listener @ Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival 2023

'Listening to writers speak at the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival was healing.

It was very powerful to witness how Māori literature has evolved over time. Words record memory and history, while conjuring the future we want to live.

I loved listening to Witi Ihimaera and other writers and artists’ memories and influences from him. Listening to the legacy of Hone Tuwhare and other poets’ reflections about him, reminded me of the power of words, and the change that has taken place in Aotearoa for the past 100 years.

I was very grateful to be able to be wrapped up with words of truth for the weekend.'