Our top picks from Blak & Bright
Staff share what they’re planning to see at this year’s Blak & Bright festival, the first ever Victorian Indigenous Literary Festival. (You can find the full program here).
Leanne Hall is excited for the opening address
I can’t wait to see Anita Heiss deliver the opening address on 20 Reasons Why You Should Read Blak. I’ve just finished hoovering up her latest novel, Tiddas, over the summer break. This novel is the perfect blend of drama, romance, politics, traditional and pop culture – with some pleasingly dirty jokes. My reading resolution for 2016 is to dive deeper into reading Indigenous authors, so I’m hoping to get some book recommendations from Anita, as well as enjoy being read to by professional actors.
Lian Hingee hopes to borrow a rare, living book
My grandparents died when I was still quite young, and one of my great regrets was never getting the opportunity to sit down with them and talk about the world that they grew up in, the things that they’d experienced, and the history that they witnessed. I’m excited for the opportunity to Borrow a Rare (Living) Book and sit down with an Elder to learn first-hand about the stories and experiences that shaped them.
My first exposure to Indigenous Australian culture was through the Dreamtime stories that were read to me when I was a child. Stories about Tidalick, the Seven Sisters, and the Rainbow Serpent gave me a framework of mythology that applied to my own country, and the native animals that I was familiar with. I’m keen to attend the Indigenous Children’s Book Collection event to revisit some old friends – and learn some new stories.
Stella Charls is impressed by the performative element of the festival
This festival seems a great opportunity to discover some new voices. There are plenty of new names on the program, as well as some authors and storytellers I’m already a huge fan of. Last year I read Tony Birch’s novel Ghost River, and so I’m looking forward to the book club discussion about it. The discussion will also be about Gayle Kennedy’s Me, Antman & Fleabag so I’ll be seeking that one out.
I’ve also read and adored Ellen van Neerven’s short-story collection, Heat and Light. In addition to being a wonderful writer, Ellen is an editor and I’m looking forward to hearing her speak about the current state of Indigenous publishing at Publishing and Editing Blak. Ellen will also be moderating a panel called Sistas Are Doing It, focusing on female indigenous writers and how they share their stories.
Finally, the most exciting aspect of the program for me is how performative so many of the sessions are. The festival truly celebrates the strength of oral and musical storytelling, both in traditional and new forms. The Festival’s opening address from Anita Heiss, 20 Reasons Why You Should Read Blak, will feature two Indigenous actors, Pauline Whyman and Greg Fryer, reading excerpts from 20 books. Later that night Blak Gala: Stories behind the Songs, features some phenomenal Indigenous musicians, including Monica Weightman and Kutcha Edwards.
Bronte Coates loves the sound of The Bogong
Like Stella, I’m a big fan of performative events. Two in particular have caught my eye: Blak Gala: Stories behind the Songs, which features musical performances alongside the tales behind the tunes, and 6 Plays in 60 Minutes – how?!
I also love the sound of The Bogong, a celebration and sharing of crafted spoken word pieces from master storytellers, and I’m keen to attend the launch of The Ibis, a gorgeous picture book created by a group of year 7 and 8 Koorie boys from Mooroopna.
