Adelaide writers' week 2026 cancelled as board apologises to Randa Abdel-Fattah for how decision was represented'

"[We] reiterate this is not about identity or dissent but rather a continuing rapid shift in the national discourse around the breadth of freedom of expression in our nation following Australia's worst terror attack in history, it added. As a board we took this action out of respect for a community experiencing the pain from a devastating event. Instead, this decision has created more division and for that we express our sincere apologies, the board wrote in its statement on Tuesday."

"Many authors have since announced they will no longer appear at Adelaide Writers' Week 2026 and it is the Adelaide Festival's position that the event can no longer go ahead as scheduled for this year. This is a deeply regrettable outcome. We recognise and deeply regret the distress this decision has caused to our audience, artists and writers, donors, corporate partners, the government and our own staff and people."

Adelaide festival cancelled its scheduled 2026 event after more than 180 participants withdrew in protest of the board's decision to disinvite Palestinian-Australian Randa Abdel-Fattah. The cancellation followed a board intervention five days earlier that cited cultural sensitivities after an attack on the Jewish community in Bondi. Several board members resigned, with three remaining members resigning immediately and four earlier departures; the Adelaide city council representative remains until term expiry in February. The board apologised to Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented and said the action aimed to respect a community in pain while acknowledging the decision created division and distress.

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