Scone Literary Festival Changed

NEXT year on March 13, the three-day Scone Literary Festival (SLF) will be replaced with a stand-alone Patrick White Oration event.

The SLF committee decided to alternate between the two events, meaning the next SLF will be held in March 2022.

SLF president Janie Jordan said that the effects of COVID-19 had been felt up and down the Valley and after the monumental efforts made to conduct the 2020 festival and much deliberation, the committee decided to change its program to reflect the changing dynamics of the economy.

“The feedback we received was phenomenal with many saying it was the best ever…indeed, we could have been the last festival of its kind anywhere in the world,” Ms Jordan said.

“We certainly exceeded our expectations with many of the single-ticket events, such as Kerry O’Brien sold out weeks ahead,” she said.

“Our new events, including the literary lunch in Merriwa and the Bush Poets morning tea at Strathearn we’re very successful and will continue,” she said.

“These events play a very important role in the cultural diversity in the Upper Hunter and we are determined to continue to develop our rich literary heritage,” said Ms Jordan.

Ms Jordan said that the guest speaker for the Patrick White Oration will be another big name like last year’s award-winning author, Christos Tsiolkas. 

“We’re fine-tuning the details this week and expect to make the announcement very soon,” Ms Jordan said.