The future of one of Australia's premier cultural events, the Adelaide Festival, is in serious jeopardy after a mass boycott by prominent international figures, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Festival in Crisis After Author's Invitation Rescinded
The controversy erupted after the Adelaide Festival Board decided last Thursday to withdraw its invitation to Palestinian-Australian author and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah for the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week. The board stated the decision was made because, in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack on a Jewish event, "it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to programme her at this unprecedented time." They stressed the move did not imply any link between Ms Abdel-Fattah or her work and the attack.
This justification has sparked a fierce backlash, with more than 70 participants pledging to boycott the festival in solidarity. The growing list includes literary heavyweights such as Pulitzer Prize winner Percival Everett, bestselling novelist Zadie Smith, Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis, Irish writer Roisín O’Donnell, Australian poet Evelyn Araluen, and Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen.
Widespread Consequences and Calls for Reinstatement
The boycott has had immediate and severe consequences for the festival, which is scheduled to begin on 28 February. Local drinks sponsor Mischief Brew has withdrawn its financial support. Furthermore, former festival leaders have signed an open letter urging the board to reverse its decision.
Julian Hobba, the executive director of the Adelaide Festival Corporation, broke his silence on Monday, describing the situation as "complex and unprecedented" and promising further updates soon. Meanwhile, Ms Abdel-Fattah has told the ABC she is considering legal action but still hopes for a reversal. "I would love for it to be reinstated," she said, calling for accountability and steps to ensure such a situation does not recur.
Former festival director Jo Dyer warned the event now "hangs in the balance," criticising the board's "cavalier negligence" with a beloved state institution. Author Kathy Lette condemned the decision on social media, stating it "sends a divisive and plainly discriminatory message."
Background of the Controversial Figure
Randa Abdel-Fattah is a Macquarie University academic whose research focuses on Islamophobia and Palestine. She has previously faced criticism from some Jewish groups for social media posts, including one made in the immediate aftermath of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, which she later said was shared before the full severity of events was known. "At that point, I had no idea about the death toll," she explained to ABC News, describing the image as a celebration of Palestinians breaking a siege.
With the festival's start date rapidly approaching and the boycott gaining momentum daily, the board faces immense pressure to resolve a crisis that threatens the very existence of a cornerstone of Australia's cultural calendar.
