Kupu Māori Writers Festival dates announced
14 December 2021
The Kupu Māori Writers Festival will be held between the Queen's birthday and Matariki weeks (during school term) — 12-19 June 2022
concept
It is not only a literary festival. It’s about bringing people together and passing on the stories and wisdom written in books, expressed through poetry and waiata… words of Te Tiriti of Waitangi and the wisdom of social justice. It’s creating a collaborative space for Māori and allies to share knowledge and build Aotearoa as a decolonised nation, as it should be.
Decolonised ⤄ Culturally appropriate ⤄ Multi-platform
Decolonising actions range from simple, personal everyday changes, to society-side collective endeavours The development of Kaupapa Māori has been one of the most important decolonising actions in Aotearoa to date.
To be culturally appropriate instead of having cultural appropriation. Māori leaders talking to a Māori audience and people interested in a creative and intellectual atmosphere of books and the knowledge involved. English and te reo Māori will be given equal importance. Panels 100% te reo with real-time translation and subtitles must be available.
Bringing Kupu online is more than making it modern or overcoming barriers in a COVID world. It’s an opportunity to be a gathering point, bringing together our overseas whānau like the meeting house Hinemihi did over many decades in the fields of England. The festival can be omni-channel using Kupu TV, recorded interviews, podcasts and live transmission.
introduction
A festival can represent a lot for a city, especially a Māori celebration for Rotorua. Bringing relevant authors discussing their mahi, poetry and music nights, panels debating local and global subjects, workshops for children, young adults and school programmes are essential, as stated by the Words Christchurch festival - to inspire a love of reading and writing, and a wide range of fun, festive special events. It’s an opportunity to link the city and Māori to writing and publishing information, literary and language expertise, entertainment and inspiration.
For the duration of the festival, Rotorua can become the capital of the Māori world, creating pride between citizens and non-citizens through a creative and intellectual atmosphere. Hotels will be well booked, restaurants, bars, shops, parks, squares, playgrounds and other public places will be buzzing with people, bringing life to Rotorua Central, the city’s heart.
festival's aim
To highlight, celebrate and honour Māori writers;
To support new and upcoming Māori writers of diverse genres and demographics and provide platforms to showcase their work;
To pass down knowledge through wānanga;
Promote the mātauranga of reading and writing to the iwi whānui.
