Archive · 16 Jan 2026
Adelaide Writers' Festival Cancelled After Palestinian Author Barred
The Adelaide Writers' Festival was cancelled after the board decided to disinvite a Palestinian-Australian author named Randa Abdel-Fattah.
The board said they did this because of her past statements, which they thought might be upsetting after a recent mass shooting at a Jewish event in Bondi Beach.
Many authors, including famous ones like Jacinda Ardern and Zadie Smith, decided to boycott the festival because they thought the decision was unfair.
The festival director, Louise Adler, also resigned because she didn't agree with the decision.
The board later apologized, but Abdel-Fattah said she didn't accept the apology.
The festival will not happen this year, and a new board has been appointed to run it in the future.
The Adelaide Writers' Festival was cancelled after the board disinvited Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah.
180 authors boycotted the event, and festival director Louise Adler resigned in protest.
The board cited Abdel-Fattah's past statements as insensitive following the Bondi Beach mass shooting.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a national day of mourning for the Bondi Beach victims.
Notable authors including Jacinda Ardern, Zadie Smith, and Percival Everett joined the boycott.
- Who
- Adelaide Writers' Festival board, authors, Randa Abdel-Fattah, Louise Adler
- What
- Cancellation of the festival due to the disinvitation of a Palestinian-Australian author
- When
- January 13, 2024
- Where
- Adelaide, Australia
- Why
- The festival board disinvited Abdel-Fattah due to her past statements, which they deemed insensitive after the Bondi Beach mass shooting. This decision led to a boycott by 180 authors and the resignation of the festival director, Louise Adler.
- Event
- Adelaide Writers' Festival cancellation
- Reason for Cancellation
- Boycott by 180 authors and resignation of festival director
- Author Disinvited
- Randa Abdel-Fattah
- Festival Director
- Louise Adler
- Date of Cancellation
- January 13, 2024
- National Mourning Day
- January 22, 2024
- Bondi Beach Incident
- Mass shooting at a Jewish event, 15 killed
- Notable Authors Boycotting
- Jacinda Ardern, Zadie Smith, Kathy Lette, Percival Everett, Yanis Varoufakis