#Performances
#About the event
Duration: 60 minutes
Starting this year, the First Word and Last Word of every Brisbane Writers Festival will be delivered by an Indigenous artist. These events reflect the vibrant legacy of Indigenous Australian storytelling, and recognise the importance of putting First Nations voices first.Ellen van Neerven is a writer of fiction, poetry and non-fiction. They are of Mununjali (Yugambeh language group) and Dutch heritage, and often write about Indigeneity and gender. They have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards, including receiving the inaugural Quentin Bryce Award. This free event features a traditional smoking ceremony and Ellen's opening words.
#Artist
Ellen van Neerven
Ellen van Neerven is an award-winning writer of Mununjali Yugambeh (South East Queensland) and Dutch heritage. They write fiction, poetry, plays and non-fiction. Ellen’s first book, Heat and Light, was the recipient of the David Unaipon Award. Throat, Ellen's highly anticipated second collection of poetry, was published in 2020. In 2021 they are the editor of the anthology Flock: First Nations Stories Then and Now.
