Adelaide Writers’ Week cancelled after six-day dispute over Randa Abdel‑Fattah

The 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week has been cancelled after a six-day public dispute that centred on the withdrawal of an invitation to Palestinian Australian academic Randa Abdel‑Fattah and culminated in mass resignations from the festival board and the artistic director's departure.

The row began with the October resignation of Tony Berg, a festival benefactor, who accused artistic director Louise Adler of presiding over a "blatantly one-sided" program and of "spewing anti‑Zionism". Berg said Abdel‑Fattah's inclusion crossed into antisemitism; Abdel‑Fattah has described her removal as "blatant and shameless" anti‑Palestinian racism and censorship.

The premier, Peter Malinauskas, has denied direct interference but acknowledged he lobbied the board and wrote to them on 2 January advocating her removal. The decision sparked a global boycott: more than 70 high‑profile writers pulled out and the number of withdrawing participants grew to over 170, while sponsors and partners withdrew support.

Board members, including the chair Tracey Whiting, resigned; Adler published her resignation in which she said, "I cannot be party to silencing writers," calling the board's action a "terminal betrayal." The Adelaide Festival Corporation then announced the event was over for 2026.

Key Topics

Culture, Adelaide Writers Week, Randa Abdel-fattah, Peter Malinauskas, Louise Adler, Tony Berg