Overview
- The new Adelaide Festival board retracted its earlier rationale of “cultural sensitivity,” apologized unreservedly to Randa Abdel‑Fattah, and confirmed she is invited to the 2027 Writers’ Week.
- This year’s Writers’ Week remains canceled after roughly 180 authors withdrew in protest and director Louise Adler resigned, with all but one board member also stepping down.
- Abdel‑Fattah said she accepts the apology and will consider the 2027 invitation, noting she would attend immediately if Adler were director again.
- Abdel‑Fattah has taken defamation steps against South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas over his public comments, while the premier maintains support for the initial removal.
- New chair Judy Potter affirmed curatorial independence, rescinded a planned operational review subcommittee, and issued a separate apology to Adler for the collapsed 2026 program.