Speaking Fire: a gathering of First Nations truth-tellers and truth-listeners, celebrating survival, resistance and Blak brilliance.
Opening Ceremony, performances, talks, workshops, show, stories and conversation – stay for the whole program of events or feel welcome to drop-in.
Speaking Fire – Opening Ceremony: 12 pm–1 pm Speaking Fire begins, as we have always done, with a Smoking Ceremony, clearing and cleansing the way forward for a day of discussion, deliberation and deliberate conversations.
Speaking Fire – Open Mic: 1 pm–2 pm Redfern/South Sydney poets and story tellers spark the stage fire warming up the stage and microphones for the remainder of Speaking Fire.
Con-Verse: Radical Hope in Times of Helplessness: 2 pm–3 pm Radical hope in times of helplessness invites First Nations writers into deep discussion and poetry sharing. Talk with Speaking Fire guests about what it’s like to live with/without hope in a global climate that has lost its way.
Write to Speak – Spoken Word / Hip Hop Wordshop: 2 pm–3:30 pm Whether you’re a young person or young at heart, learn from seasoned performers SOLCHLD and MicKillalKid.
Our Voice – Our Way, Workshop: 3 pm–4:30 pm Looking to learn and understand Indigenous languages from around the state? In cooperation with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust language practitioners will present multiple language workshops in the Downstairs Space.
Speaking Fire Showcase: 5 pm–7 pm Poets and musical acts, speak fire and sing Story as Indigenous people have since time immemorial. Watch, dance, sing-a-long and cheer with a powerful line of First Nations performers.
CURATOR: Rob Waters Content Warning: Most poetry events are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.
