First Impression

Before participating at the 2016 Mildura Writer's Festival, I had a presumed feeling and idea that the event would be only for guest writers and some elite members of the community. In this way, the writers will read the books they have written, the audience would listen and the book sellers would sell the books. However, participating in the festival through Latrobe University Writers in Action (STC3WIA) subject revealed that the event was much more than what I expected. Therefore, throughout the festival I had a keen eye on the festival as I was much more attracted how a literary festival works as compared to other type of festivals particularly in a small town like Mildura. 

To understand more about the literary festivals, it was also important to know the 2016 Mildura Writers Festival's sponsors. It was very interesting that one of the sponsor for the event was Stefano's family. Although there were many other sponsors for the event but the vocal Mildura man Stefano de Pieri was prominent. I observed that not only him but also people close to him were active in the event and given more opportunity to ask questions from writers. Therefore, the roles of sponsor and sponsorship were evident and had a strong influence on the festivals. And one example is Mildura Italian food identity Stefano which I provide a brief detail of him bellow:

His unstoppable food identity in the Sunraysia region particularly in Mildura has attracted many visitors and locals to his catering business and restaurant in the cellar of Grand Hotel for many years. His Italian heritage has also helped him in the region to use many local ingredients in his favour to craft rustic delicious dishes. 

Photo Courtesy: google image

The point I am trying to make here is that without sponsors and local support like him, it is almost impossible to organise a literary festivals like Mildura Writer Festival. Nevertheless, these are good opportunities for book lovers to excel and use such regional identities to reach more people as compared to only few literary enthusiasts in the region.

The bellow poem was a writing exercise in the class that students shared with each other, lets see what i had to say:

Lost Love

When I look into your eyes! 

They say something especial to me!

I had not known of your love

Until your eyes spoke to me!

It was interesting that you did not know me

When i looked to the notes that you sent to me

Until you met personal me

But by the time you visited me

It was too late to know me

It was interesting that you did not know me

The generous life enlighten me 

But at the same time contaminated me

May be it was not you, it was me

However, life sucks you from me

It was interesting that you did not know me

When i looked into your eyes! 
They say something especial to me!