Big names for Word festival
Non-fiction lovers could be in for a busy time with some big names appearing at the Word Christchurch festival this weekend.
The book festival’s Shifting Points of View season is running in the city from August 16 to September 14.
Topping the bill this weekend will be British-American author and journalist Simon Winchester, a New York Times bestseller whose latest book is The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World.
Winchester will discuss his life, ideas and latest work with RNZ’s Kim Hill at The Piano this evening.
Also speaking at The Piano today will be Kiwi historian and writer Vincent O’Malley.
O’Malley had been scheduled for a discussion with Dunedin-based historian Mike Stevens, but with Stevens unable to attend O’Malley will give a lecture instead related to his latest book The New Zealand Wars, Nga¯ Pakanga o Aotearoa.
Also today, Kiwi academic, writer and former politician Marilyn Waring will discuss her recent books The Political Years and Still Counting. She will also talk politics, women, and wellbeing economics with Canterbury University’s Bronwyn Hayward.
A walk and talk event The Untold Stories Beneath Your Feet, a presentation on archaeology by Joseph Hullen at Pegasus tomorrow, is sold out.
Both Winchester and O’Malley will also be part of the festival’s Owning History discussion this afternoon, along with local researcher and Jessica Mclean.
Other venues for events are the Arts Centre’s Rutherford Den, and Space Academy in St Asaph St. Tickets for Word Christchurch events are available online or at The Palms shopping centre.