Hobart LitFest
Presented by Salamanca Arts Centre
Celebrate Hobart’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature at Hobart LitFest!
Join us for a dynamic program showcasing Tasmania’s finest writers, with engaging panels, book launches, interactive workshops, and intimate readings. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with the literary talent that makes Hobart unique. The festival will culminate in an exciting Independent Book Fair, where you can discover and support local independent authors and publishers. Don’t miss out on this celebration of words, culture, and creativity in the heart of Tasmania.
Salamanca Arts Centre’s Hobart LitFest runs from Thursday 3rd until Saturday 12th April 2025 in the Long Gallery and is supported by the City of Hobart, and sponsored by Forty South Tasmania, Island Magazine, The Hobart Bookshop, and many other Tasmanian organisations, groups, and businesses.
Full Program for the Hobart LitFest 2025 can be found online HERE
Thursday 3rd April 2025 – 6:30PM
Opening Event including Keynote Speech by Peter Timms
How have we become a City of Literature & how do we compare?
Join us for the official opening of the festival followed by a keynote speech by Peter Timms, through which we will explore the journey that led to our city being recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature. Delve into the rich literary history, cultural influences, and key milestones that have shaped our city’s identity in the literary world. We’ll also compare our literary standing to other global cities, highlighting what sets us apart and what we can learn from their successes. Don’t miss this chance to reflect on our literary legacy and future over drinks and nibbles!
About the Presenter
Peter Timms held curatorial positions in Australian museums between 1973 and 1988. He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1984 and an Australia Council Senior Writers’ Fellowship in 1994. Since 1988 he has been a freelance journalist and author, including five years as editor of Art Monthly Australia and art critic for The Age. Peter has published eleven books, including Australian Studio Pottery, Making Nature, What’s Wrong with Contemporary Art?, Australia’s Quarter Acre, Private Lives, and Hobart. His first novel, Asking for Trouble, was published by HarperCollins in 2014. His most recent book is Silliness: a Serious History.
Full Program for the Hobart LitFest 2025 can be found online HERE
Find out more about Friday’s Program HERE
Find out more about Saturday’s Program HERE
Find out more about Sunday’s Program HERE
Find out more about Week Two’s Program HERE
Our Sponsors
Salamanca Art Centre’s Hobart LitFest is supported by the City of Hobart’s Event Grants Program.
We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support.
City of Hobart – Working together to make Hobart a better place for the community.
Forty South Tasmania – Tasmania’s biggest, most trusted book publisher.
Tasmanian Indie Authors Group – A diverse range of authors with one thing in common – we are all self-published!
Story Island Project – A Hobart-based not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the creativity and writing skills of young Tasmanians and celebrates their diverse voices.
The Hobart Bookshop – A proud independent and locally owned bookshop in Salamanca Square, Hobart, Tasmania.
Joval Wines – We bring people together with wine.
PROTEA Improv – We create unique theatre created in the moment, from Theatresports to an entire dramatic play.
Bad Company Theatre – Hobart’s scrappy theatrical upstart.