Welcome to the 16th Somerset Celebration of Literature.  Over the years, the Somerset Festival has grown into one of Australia’s most enduring and innovative literary festivals.  The three aspects to the Somerset Festival are the National Novella Writing Competition, the Librarians’ Conference and the Writers’ Festival.  Each contributes a unique entity to give rise to a truly literary occasion.  The 2009 Festival offers a fascinating blend of fiction writers, biographers, poets, journalists, illustrators and artists.

Somerset College is very much aware of the need to bring the benefits of the Festival to those who may not have the opportunity to attend and as such, we have created the “Sponsored Schools Project” where parents of Somerset generously pay $500 each to bring groups of primary and secondary age school children from a range of schools on the Gold Coast and from Northern New South Wales to hear the writers at the Festival.  In 2009, the number of schools attending under this project will rise to 28.  This project, combined with the National Novella Writing Competition are concrete ways of contributing to building and consolidating a resilient literary culture in Australia.

On behalf of the Somerset Celebration of Literature organising committee, I would like to invite you to join us in a celebration of culture and fun over the five days of the Festival from 16th to the 20th March 2009.

Michael Brohier
Chairperson – Somerset Celebration of Literature

 

2009 FESTIVAL DATES:  16th to 20th MARCH

 

For information or bookings Phone Events Office on 07 5530 3777 / 07 5530 4624 or   Fax 07 5525 2676   or   email events@somerset.qld.edu.au