OzAsia Festival - Writing & Ideas Festival

In Other Words, OzAsia Festival’s writing and ideas program, promises a weekend of big ideas and inspiring conversations with remarkable Asian and Asian-Australian writers and thinkers. Join us for three days of free talks and events spanning politics, food, climate, and popular culture on the banks of the Karrawirra Pari.

Hear from journalists, authors, politicians, artists, and community leaders as we consider Australia’s place in modern Asian culture. Curated by writer and comedian Jennifer Wong, In Other Words delivers an exciting perspective on our history, our present and our future.

With 73 speakers at over 30 events, we’ve got some hot picks for WeekendPlus subscribers so that you can easily navigate this jam-packed weekend!

Read the full In Other Words program here.

Friday – Opening Night Gala: Words that Showed Me The Way

Every day, words show us the way, be that as directions or instructions. But words also show us the way in a different sense: as words of encouragement, words of advice, words that precede a ‘Eureka!’ moment. Join us for a celebration of these moments, big and small, as told by nine writers and thinkers including In Other Words curator and The Special Comedy Comedy Special emcee Jennifer Wong and writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law.

Saturday Morning – Politics: The Changing Face of Leadership In Australia

Our current Federal Parliament is the most diverse in Australia’s history. What does this mean for Australia and its future? Here to discuss this question and more are two newly-elected politicians who are very much part of the changing face of leadership in Australia: Member for Fowler Dai Le, and Senator for Western Australia Fatima Payman.

Saturday Afternoon – The Art of the Memoir: Making Meaning of Life

What are we here for, if not to make meaning of life? Three people who’ve done just that are ABC journalist Jason Om (All Mixed Up); quadriplegic doctor, lawyer, and disability advocate Dinesh Palipana OAM (Stronger), and arts journalist and author Katherine Tamiko Arguile (Meshi). Expect to be moved by the memorable stories in these examined lives.

Sunday Morning – The Future According to Science

Artificial intelligence. Climate change. Life “post”-Covid. What does the future hold, and which discoveries and developments today give a sense of optimism despite the challenges ahead? Find out in this wide-ranging conversation between epidemiologist Meru Sheel; and Ivy Shih, former virus researcher, science writer, and producer of ABC RN’s Cosmic Vertigo.

Sunday Afternoon – Freeing My Family

Sadam came to Australia from Xinjiang as a political refugee, settled into the community, and became a citizen. Then he returned to Xinjiang for a visit and met Nadila. Shortly afterwards, China’s government began its massive crackdown on the Uyghurs. Nadila was trapped in Xinjiang with their newborn son Lutfi. This is the story of Sadam’s quest to bring them to Australia.

BONUS! Sunday Night

In Other Words goes well into Sunday night with Hyoshi in Counterpoint – a musical collaboration in response to OzAsia Festival’s Women at Work visual arts series – and the Closing Night Debate, featuring Mark Fennell, Anchuli Felicia King, and Beverley Wang.