The SA Writers Centre, in partnership with the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority, has announced an exciting new round of free workshops and events as part of the ongoing Cultural Centre for the Dead project.
Run in the surrounds of Enfield Memorial Park, the Cultural Centre for the Dead is a community based project which – through creative writing and performance – seeks to open a dialogue with writers from diverse cultural backgrounds on their experience of a universal yet shared topic: death. Specifically the project seeks to uncover the ways in which traditional death practices can impact and influence the way we live our lives.
The free Creative Writing Workshops are aimed at new and active writers from diverse cultural backgrounds and will be led by experienced writing teachers and artists, Manal Younus and Alexis West.
Using creative prompts, these workshops will explore themes of mortality, belief and the ceremonies and stories that we construct around death. And they aim to extend the discussion around the ways these stories can lead us to live more deeply.
Participants need not be experienced writers but they must be willing to explore and share their personal beliefs about mortality. Spaces are very limited though so register your interest early at www.writerssa.org.au.
Creative works developed as part of the workshop series will be performed at an evening event held at Enfield Memorial Park, 6pm Saturday 8 July. This free community function will include readings, performance, music and dance, plus food and refreshments, and will have an emphasis on the diversity of the local community.
The Cultural Centre of the Dead Anthology, including a selection of creative pieces developed during the ongoing project, will also be curated, compiled, and distributed by the Adelaide Cemetery Authority and SA Writers Centre.
Key dates:
Workshop 1: Thursday 25 May 10am – 1pm
Workshop 2: Sunday 4 June 10am – 1pm
Workshop 3: Saturday 17 June 10am – 1pm
Workshop 4: Thursday 22 June 6pm – 9pm
Reading Event: Saturday 8 July 6pm
Note: The workshops are identical, repeated events. Please register your interest for your preferred date. Bookings will be confirmed closer to the event.
Workshop and Event Bookings are essential. Register at www.writerssa.org.au or call SA Writers Centre on 08 8223 7662.
PRESENTERS
Manal Younus is a storyteller and creative producer. As a Muslim with Eritrean origins living in Australia, the young writer and spoken word artist uses her poetry to both discover and strengthen her identity as well as to spark thought and discussions amongst those around her. In 2015, the two time National Poetry Slam finalist self published her first book of poetry titled ‘Reap’ and has since toured the within Australia and overseas performing her work and facilitating workshops to develop the work of new writers.
Alexis West has worked as a dancer, choreographer, performer, writer, poet, theatre-maker and filmmaker over the past 20 years. As a Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka and Kanak woman, Alexis is passionate about First Nation people’s voices, as well as the stories of people with disability and people from diverse backgrounds. She has worked as an artistic director, writer, and facilitator for organisations including the Karrikarrinya Theatre Collective, SA Writers Centre, Spirit Festival, Our Mob, Art Gallery SA, and Adelaide Fringe. Alexis has devised and directed new works for No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability since 2008, and worked as AD, co-writer and performer for State Theatre Company SA.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
