Go Gentle withdraws from Adelaide Writers Week
Below is our statement sent to Adelaide Writers' Week director Louise Adler advising of our decision to withdraw from the 2026 event.
"It is with great regret that we inform you of our decision to withdraw from this year’s Adelaide Writers' Week.
In our work at Go Gentle, we have always championed open conversation, making it a point to hear from those who disagree with us. By doing so, we not only test our assumptions, we also strengthen our thinking.
So we find [the] announcement by the AWW Board that Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah has had her appearance cancelled on the grounds of ‘cultural sensitivity’ and ‘community cohesion’ to be both alarming and troubling.
The Australian community is proudly open and pluralistic. We hold, debate, agree and disagree on, many views.
Our determination to hear, and be heard, is one of our bedrock values.
How sad that one of Australia’s leading writers' festivals — of all things — cannot demonstrate the moral or intellectual clarity to uphold this.
And, whatever the Board’s protestations that the two are not linked, how telling, how grim, is the dog whistle connecting Dr Abdel-Fattah’s name with the Bondi massacre.
Thank you for thinking to invite us.
We know you have personally put a great deal into making this year’s AWW a success, and that the withdrawal of numerous participants will be wounding. However, greater principles are at stake."
Andrew Denton
Founding Director, Go Gentle Australia
Julian Kingma
Author