HEALING IN THE WINDS OF CHANGE
The 2025 NT Writers Festival (NTWF) brings together an age-old love for the written and spoken word, encouraging a space for creative ideas to flow and community voices to be heard.
WORDS JENNA HOARE
This year’s Festival springs to life amidst the desert sands and Red Gums at Olive Pink Botanic Garden, and around Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
Over its 25-year history, NTWF has transformed from a local writers’ gathering into a nationally recognised cultural event, moving annually between the Top End and Central Australia.
NTWF Artistic Director Louise Omer says the Festival is inspired by place, with a distinct program that draws on the local themes and voices tied to the location.
“In Mparntwe, there are so many different [cultural] groups around Central Australia, the different Aboriginal Countries that surround us as well as the multicultural people in town,” she says.
This year’s theme ‘angkwerre-iweme’ translates to ‘healing in the winds of change’ – an Arrernte phrase that describes a traditional practice to allow space for healing the spirit and create positive transformation.
"Angkwerre-iweme is a traditional method of healing by Arrernte ngangkaris (traditional healers) … to clear out old energy to make room for new and bring renewal," Omer says.
Held on Arrernte Country over four days, the 2025 theme reflects both the personal and collective journeys toward healing in the face of adversity, aligning with the Festival's mission to uplift First Peoples' stories and celebrate local writers.
“We had workshops facilitated by Running Water Community Press who are a local publisher ... We sat down together, and heard about what is arising from this place, what issues we are facing collectively and what we need – what is our medicine,” Omer says.
“A heartfelt acknowledgement goes out to Amelia Kngwarraye Turner, Sylvia Perrurle Neale, John Kemarre Cavanagh, Mali Mpetyane Cavanagh, Maureen Nampijinpa O’Keefe, Tisha Perrurle Carter, Bubalo Stuart and facilitation by Olivia Nigro, for this generous process.”
Omer says the partnership has ensured that the Festival deeply honours the local culture and heritage, allowing the community to engage meaningfully in the creative process.
“We hear a lot of narratives about Mparntwe on a national level and locally, and a lot of this is in response to misinformation and simplified concepts.”
With a program full of shared learning, there is something for every writer, reader, and storyteller.
Working with Watch this Space and presented by the National Film and Sound archive of Australia, the first evening’s open-air cinema event features the historical screenings of WINHANGANHA and Wangka Walytya – the life and times of the Papunya Literature Centre.
The Friday evening feature, The Winds of Change, gathers incredible talent and stories with Jeanine Leane, Bebe Oliver, Dave Clark, and Emma Trenorden. And look out for Language is Power, which presents a panel discussion covering the importance of revitalising Indigenous languages.
Omer invites all writers, aspiring authors, and the wider public to gather, share, and learn from each other.
“It really is about building relationships … and investing in people and allowing them to invest in you and teach as well.”
NT Writers Festival
WHEN THU 29 MAY – SUN 1 JUN
AT OLIVE PINK BOTANIC GARDEN
INFO ntwriters.com.au
