Some of the most powerful voices in society have belonged to artists willing to challenge convention and illuminate our thinking with their ideas and their passions.

Using language, humour or beauty, they have helped us understand ourselves and our societies.

Within this program are some of those voices – individuals who use art to examine how we live our lives and how we relate to humankind. From the American civil rights movement to Stalinist Russia to modern day philosophical challenges, an abundance of ideas are drawn upon, expressed with both joy and pathos.

For four weeks the world comes to Perth, making the Festival period a time for us to be passionate about the place in which we live. Artists from Perth and the Great Southern play a special part in the Festival, bringing a unique voice to our celebration through theatre, visual art, food, film and … crochet!

We invite you to engage with us and your community this year. Watch as 60 brave citizens take part in the Lotterywest Festival Celebration or come and listen to the wisest critics, The Children’s Jury, and see what they have to say about our shows. We also want you to come out to play – quite literally – by performing in an intimate play for two characters or by having your hair cut by a child.

The Perth Writers Festival and Lotterywest Festival Film season are each a treasure trove of stories to be discovered over the summer, for both adults and children alike. We will welcome hundreds of artists to Perth this summer, and as always I acknowledge the incredible Festival team whose tremendous efforts have made this happen.

Thank you.

Shelagh Magadza

Artistic Director