Word Christchurch Festival Word Christchurch

17 April 2021

Who is Kim Jong Un? In The Great Successor: The Secret Rise and Rule of Kim Jong Un, journalist Anna Fifield presents a captivating portrait of North Korea and its sometimes ridiculous, sometimes deadly leader. Featuring exclusive access to key figures in Kim Jong Un’s life, The Great Successor earned international acclaim for its insight into the world’s oddest and most isolated political regime.

Anna Fifield has recently returned to New Zealand to take up the position of editor at the Dominion Post. Prior to that she was a foreign correspondent for twenty years, for both the Financial Times and the Washington Post, with postings across Asia and the Middle East. Don’t miss this fascinating event, where she will share stories and insights with fellow journalist Jo Malcolm.

31 October 2020 | WORD Christchurch Spring Festival

Christchurch has arguably undergone more change and upheaval than any other city in New Zealand this century. Just as rocky is the relationship between the city and its people. We ask five writers with connections to the city: How do you feel about Christchurch? Is your relationship to a place different when you are born here than when you choose it as your home? And can we speak honestly about the dark side as well as the light? What would you say if you could address the city directly?

Writing letters to Ōtautahi are Nathan Joe, Juanita Hepi, Lil O’Brien who grew up here, and more recent arrivals Erik Kennedy and Behrouz Boochani. Hosted by Naomi van den Broek.

31 October 2020 | WORD Christchurch Spring Festival

New Zealand women have published poetry for over 150 years. In her landmark book Wild Honey, poet Paula Green celebrates and makes connections between 201 of them, from emerging poets and those who are household names, who lived unconventional lives for their art and who gave a poetic voice to resistance, to those who have slipped from public view or were not paid the honour they were due in their lifetimes. Join us for a celebration of these amazing talented women, featuring three generations of poets who will each read from their own work and choose a poem from a woman who has inspired them. Featuring some of our greatest and freshest performers, this will be a moving, engaging and unforgettable festival event. Wild Honey celebrates the many ways in which poems by women deserve a place in the literary canon of Aotearoa. Featuring Jess Fiebig, Bernadette Hall, Cilla McQueen, Selina Tusiatala Marsh, Frankie McMillan and Freya Daly Sadgrove, with Morrin Rout. Unfortunately, Tusiata Avia is not able to appear at this event.

1 November 2020 | WORD Christchurch Spring Festival

Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham is the only combat soldier ever to win the Victoria Cross twice. His acts of bravery in World War II meant he probably deserved six more.

The mystery of how a reserved, modest, slightly-built farm valuer from New Zealand could be so ferocious and fearless in battle has intrigued and fascinated Tom Scott ever since he read about Charles Upham as a schoolboy. Searching for Charlie is Scott’s epic quest to unravel the ‘real’ Charles Upham. He talks with Christopher Moore about what he learned along the way.

1 November 2020 | WORD Christchurch Spring Festival

Ralph Hotere was one of Aotearoa’s most significant artists. His life was just as remarkable as his art. Hotere invited the poet, novelist and biographer Vincent O’Sullivan to write his life story in 2005. Now, this book — the result of years of research and many conversations with Hotere and his fellow artists, collaborators, friends and family — provides a nuanced, compelling portrait of Hotere: the man, and the artist. Vincent O’Sullivan is joined by Bill Manhire, Cilla McQueen and Lisa Reihana to discuss the life and work of the man behind the iconic, stand-alone signature: HOTERE. Chaired by Sally Blundell.

31 October 2020 | WORD Christchurch Spring Festival

Through their own marks about the land and its people, be it in ink or paint, Grahame Sydney, Brian Turner and Owen Marshall offer a love song to the South Island, in particular Central Otago, in their new book Landmarks. Hear the stories behind the words and pictures, chaired by Fiona Farrell.