The Adelaide Festival Corporation has issued a public apology to Palestinian Australian academic Randa Abdel-Fattah and promised to invite her to the 2027 Adelaide Writers' Week. The apology comes after the festival initially excluded Abdel-Fattah from this year's event, citing cultural insensitivity.
Abdel-Fattah accepted the apology on Instagram, calling it a vindication of collective solidarity against anti-Palestinian racism and censorship. She said she is still considering the invitation to appear at the 2027 event.
The festival's new chair, Judy Potter, also apologised to Louise Adler, who resigned as director of Adelaide Writers' Week in protest of Abdel-Fattah's cancellation. Potter confirmed that the 2026 Writers' Week will not proceed, as it is no longer viable.
Executive director Julian Hobba stated that writers whose appearances were cancelled will still be paid, but those who voluntarily withdrew will not receive fees. The apology follows criticism from former board member Tony Berg, who accused Adler and Abdel-Fattah of hypocrisy over free speech.
