The literary world in Australia has been left shocked by the sudden resignation of Sydney Writers’ Festival chair Kathy Shand who has cited concerns over the event’s handling of sensitive topics, particularly the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In her resignation statement, sent to Sydney Morning Herald, Shand emphasised the importance of maintaining the festival as an “inclusive space”.
“Freedom of expression cannot and should not be used as a justification to accept language and conversations that compromise the festival as a safe and inclusive space for all audiences,” she wrote.
“The reputation of the Sydney Writers’ Festival has been hard won and is well deserved. This needs to be protected and great care needs to be taken with the stages that carry the imprimatur of the festival. At a time when cultural organisations are faced with challenges I wish the festival well,” she said.
Shand, who has strong ties to the Jewish community as a board member of the Sydney Jewish Museum and former co-publisher of the Australian Jewish News, stressed the need for careful curation of festival sessions.
The timing of Shand’s resignation is notable, given it’s just weeks before the March 13 announcement of the 2025 festival lineup. Sources familiar with the festival’s operations told the Sydney Morning Herald that there had been a ongoing tension for years when it came to how the festival should handle showcasing multiple views on different topics including the Middle East conflict.
Robert Watkins, the new festival chair, addressed the situation in a statement applauding Shand’s “dedication to championing writers and fostering meaningful engagement.”
Watkins said the 2025 program will “demonstrably reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to presenting a plurality of voices [and] a diversity of thought”.
“This includes both Jewish and Palestinian writers and thought leaders. The Board are united and supportive of the 2025 program,” he added.
The Guardian has confirmed the program includes “multiple prominent Jewish and Palestinian writers and thinkers”.
This isn’t the first time literary events in Australia have faced controversy over Middle East-related programming. Around this time last year, Melbourne Writers Festival’s deputy chair Dr Leslie Reti resigned over a poetry session involving Aboriginal and Palestinian poets, which he described as “historically untrue and deeply offensive”.
It is unconfirmed if this news will delay any part of the festivities, but as the Sydney Writers’ Festival prepares to reveal its 2025 lineup, all eyes will be on how it navigates these complex issues while upholding its duty to public debate.
The festival’s program is scheduled to be announced on March 13 and the festival itself will take place from 19 to 27 May 2025. It’s set to feature over 220 events with leading literary voices, including more than 40 international award-winners.
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