The Daily Aus Why a writers' festival was cancelled
Jan 13, 2026
The cancellation of the 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week sparked intense debate. After the removal of Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, backlash erupted regarding accusations of anti-Palestinian racism. Politicians, writers, and festival officials reacted in various ways, leading to mass withdrawals. This controversy raised questions about free speech and political pressure in cultural events. The festival's board ultimately decided to cancel the event, highlighting the ongoing tension within the literary community.
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Adelaide Festival's Global Reputation
- The Adelaide Festival is an internationally recognised arts event with a major free literary component, Adelaide Writers' Week.
- Writers' Week was scheduled for Feb 28–Mar 5, 2026 and included dozens of invited authors including Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.
Board Cites Cultural Sensitivity, Not Direct Links
- The festival board removed Abdel-Fattah saying her past statements made her inclusion "not be culturally sensitive" after the Bondi attack.
- The board explicitly said her writings had no connection to the Bondi tragedy but cited vague concerns about timing and sensitivity.
Author's Controversial Statements And Review
- Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is a Palestinian-Australian author and researcher known for criticising Israel and for comments like "may 2025 be the end of Israel."
- Macquarie University and the ARC reviewed her conduct, suspended then cleared her research grant after a 10-month review.