Abdel-Fattah returns to Adelaide Writers' Week for 2027
Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah accepted an invitation to appear at next year's Adelaide Writers' Week after the 2026 festival was cancelled.
Randa Abdel-Fattah will return to Adelaide Writers' Week in 2027, more than a year after her removal from the 2026 program sparked outrage across Australia's literary community. The board removed her in January, and the previous director resigned in solidarity.
This prompted a mass boycott by writers. The new board, led by chair Judy Potter, has now invited her back.
New artistic director Rosemarie Milsom said she hosted Abdel-Fattah at Newcastle Writers Festival without issues and values her contribution to Australian literature. The author has been nominated for major awards and was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin.
Some community members have objected to the reinvitation, but the board says the decision is its alone to make.
- Randa Abdel-Fattah
- Author
- January 2026
- Removed date
- 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week
- Festival cancelled
- Rosemarie Milsom
- New director
Why it mattersThe reversal signals a shift in how cultural institutions handle contested authors, balancing free expression against community concerns.
AustraliaAustralian writers and readers will see the festival return after a year away, and debate about whose voices get platforming in the arts continues.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au·7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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