APWT18 Gold Coast at a glance

In December 2018 we successfully staged the 11th Asia Pacific Writers and Translators gathering on the Gold Coast, Australia in partnership with Griffith University School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science. We’d like to thank all of the participants, sponsors, funding bodies and supporting partners for making this such a stimulating and inspiring event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The program, themed ‘Shared Dreams: Creative Practice in a Connected World,’ brought together writers from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond including representatives from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, the UAE, America, Hong Kong and Macau where members and guests engaged in stimulating conversation with Australian writers and some of Queensland’s favourite authors, poets, dramatists and musicians.

  
 

 

 

 

 

We kicked off with a special welcome to country and dance from the Jerrugal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Over three days and thirty sessions, people from diverse backgrounds discussed issues ranging from the authenticity of the writer, to gender politics, Indigenous practices and expressions, the balance of academic and creative writing, and poetry and journalism, to name just a few. Our focus on creative practice was embraced by our speakers and energised discussions. Country focused sessions addressed specific concerns of literary representation in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore as well as writing from Hong Kong, China and Macau. Poets, novelists and short story writers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and Singapore launched their books in style in the chic and surreal surrounds of the Red Zone at Griffith University. Delegates got a taste of Australian beach culture at readings at the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club and enjoyed a multi-cultural feast of rock, dance and rap at the penthouse level of the iconic Island hotel. We danced late into the night with Gold Coast musicians and DJs. 

      

This year’s program would not have been possible without the support of the staff and students at Griffith University, especially the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science and the Centre for Social and Cultural Research. Our incredible team of volunteers and interns made the event extremely welcoming for participants and we thank them for their time.

 

We also would like to thank our other partners in making this year’s program come together including the Gold Coast City Council via the Regional Arts Development Fund, the ASEAN-Australia Council, Griffith REVIEW, The Queensland Poetry Festival as well as our core university partners including RMIT, ANU, Griffith and UTS.