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On Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Adelaide Festival confirmed that former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had opted out of participating in the event. The announcement, however, did not specify when or why Ardern made this decision.
The festival’s reputation has taken a hit in recent days, with one individual noting, “I have heard of nothing, ever in the history of the festival, which has undermined the international standing of the Adelaide Festival as much as the events of the last few days.”
In a significant blow to the festival’s lineup, approximately 80 writers have now canceled their appearances at the Adelaide Writers’ Week. The wave of withdrawals has sparked concern and criticism from various quarters, with some questioning the festival’s current trajectory and management.
Among the voices calling for change, Dyer stands out as a notable figure. He, along with a group of former festival leaders, has penned an open letter advocating for the reinstatement of Abdel-Fattah, a move they believe could help restore the event’s stature and credibility.
Concerns after board resignations
The board currently consists of three women and one man — Leesa Chesser, Mary Couros, Brenton Cox, and Jennifer Fuller as the government observer.
Speaking to the ABC on Monday, Dyer accused the premier of heaping “unbearable pressure on the board to rescind the invitation to Dr Abdel-Fattah”, which she said was “completely inappropriate”.
Who is Randa Abdel-Fattah?
An $870,000 Australian Research Council grant that Abdel-Fattah received to examine Arab and Muslim Australian social movements was suspended for almost a year amid an investigation into her expenditure and potential conflicts of interest. She was cleared of any wrongdoing and it was reinstated.
