Thursday 6 July 2023, 7pm – 9pm @ The Capitol Theatre Naarm (Melbourne).

Celebrate the richness and cultural significance of First Nations writing with a special gala event marking the release of the University of Queensland Press’ First Nations Classics series.

This year, the University of Queensland Press released the first instalment of its First Nations Classics series, recognising the brilliant and vital literary contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers across the decades.

To mark the publication of this landmark series, the Wheeler Centre and Blak & Bright present a vibrant evening of reflections, readings and performance featuring many of the series authors and contributors, hosted by acclaimed author Tony Birch. Hear from Evelyn Araluen, Larissa Behrendt, Ellen van Neerven, Alison Whittaker, Jeanine Leane, Archie Weller, Kev Carmody and Tara June Winch, alongside series editor Yasmin Smith and series designer Jenna Lee, with a special musical performance by Nardi Simpson. Zerene Jaadwa will open the gala with a Yarn Bomb storytelling performance.

Together they will celebrate the 2023 NAIDOC theme ‘For Our Elders’, recognising the importance of intergenerational knowledge and storytelling and bringing renewed attention to timeless works of literature that are as important, engaging and relevant today as they were on first publication.

Kev Carmody and Tara June Winch will appear via video.

Artwork by Jenna Lee.

Presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. Supported by RMIT Culture.