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Speaking from the South, a unique multi-day public event saw a gathering of some of the world's most celebrated writers and thinkers from the south.  

The event series comes after a recent interest in ‘Southern Theory’ – an approach which critiques the dominance of Western models that centre on European and North American experiences and perspectives. Southern Theory seeks to empower thinkers beyond the traditional centres and focus on issues which affect them. It shows how Northern-produced theories, concepts and models are often unable to describe and respond appropriately to the Southern situations into which they have been introduced.  

Speaking from the South brought together a stellar lineup of speakers, including Nobel Laureates in Literature Abdulrazak Gurnah and Professor John M. Coetzee, to discuss some of the most pressing issues of our times such as colonisation, inequality, and climate change, as well as the enduring power of literature.

Featuring a dynamic program of talks, readings, masterclasses, film screenings, and panel discussions, Speaking from the South explored the impacts of, and the importance of Southern perspectives. 

One of the program’s key event was In Conversation: John M. Coetzee with Fabián Martinez Siccardi with a rare appearance from Professor Coetzee, a Professorial Research Fellow in the University’s School of Humanities. Professor Coetzee interviewed Argentinian writer Siccardi about his fiction, translations and journalism, which focus on Patagonia, the southern-most region of South America.