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STORY WEEK 2023: 1–8 October
CREATIVE DIRECTOr STATEMENT

VIEW ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Story Week acknowledges that we share our words and stories on unceded Aboriginal and Zenadth Kes lands. We pay our respects to the Bidjigal, Gadigal, Dharawal. Darkinjung, and Awabakal peoples, the rightful owners of the Countries from which much of Story Week will take place or be streamed. Story Week would also like to recognise the Ancestors, Elders, and young people from all Indigenous communities across this great land.We honour the sacrifices made by the First Nations' peoples of this continent, understanding that all settlers benefit from stolen land, and we pledge to continue our work towards equity and reparations in all forms of storytelling.

Story Week 2023 Events

Story Week: Be Heard – Be Seen

The Story Week 2023 theme is Palimpsest: words erased but still visible beneath bold text.
Story Week is made of words that must be spoken;
not crossed out.
Verbs that shine through after years of rewrites.
Happy endings fueled by darkness.
Stories are layers of time and experience.

Stored memories

With languages that will not die
culture bursts through colonisation
Voices shout behind policy.

What stories were told before writing?

Feel landscapes rumble beneath concrete and steel.
Hillsides hide under mines.
Intentions behind smiles.

Story Week embraces all the ways we are heroes in our own narratives.

You, reading this, have stories to tell.
This is your space to fill and
listen to others pour their words into your ears; gestures into your eyes.

Gather for a celebration.
Venture out into the world.
Bring your head full of wild anecdotes
blossom like a giant Gymea lily
squeezing between concrete slabs on the M5.

Story Week imagines a series of crossed-out alternate names for this annual
celebration resulting in four programming themes:
· Story Weak – Talks and stories of vulnerability and weakness
· Story Work – Workshops and professional development
· Story Woke – Social justice conversations and performances
· Story Wick – Poetry slams and inspiring experiences
All of this to say: “Hey, you there! It’s time to Be Heard – Be Seen.
– Miles Merrill, Word Travels Creative Director