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| Tamara Zimet |
The appointment marks a significant homecoming for one of Australia's leading literary programmers. Ten years after beginning her programming career at Sydney Writers’ Festival, Zimet will return to the organisation in November 2026, bringing with her six years of international experience at Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Her appointment comes at an exciting time for Sydney Writers’ Festival, which continues to develop its annual May festival while expanding its year-round programme and strengthening its connections with readers, writers, publishers and cultural organisations.
For visitors to Sydney, the appointment also highlights the city's continuing importance as a destination for literature, arts, culture and major cultural festivals.
From Sydney to Edinburgh and back again
Tamara Zimet's professional journey with Sydney Writers’ Festival began in 2016 when she joined the organisation as Program Coordinator.
Her talent and experience quickly saw her progress to Program Manager in 2017 and then Associate Director in 2018, where she helped co-curate the Festival's programme.
After building a strong foundation in Sydney's literary community, Zimet moved to Scotland in 2020 to join Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Over the following six years, she took on increasingly senior programming responsibilities, culminating in her appointment as Director of Programming in 2024.
In Edinburgh, Zimet played an important role in shaping artistic programming, developing audiences and establishing relationships with writers, publishers, agents and cultural partners around the world.
Her return to Sydney therefore brings together a deep knowledge of the Australian literary sector with extensive international experience.
A homecoming to Sydney's literary heart
For Zimet, returning to Sydney Writers’ Festival is both a professional milestone and a personal homecoming.
She has described the Festival as the place where she began her career in literary programming a decade ago and said she is thrilled to return to Australia as Artistic Director.
Zimet sees Sydney Writers’ Festival as occupying a unique position in Australian cultural life, bringing international writers and ideas to Sydney while celebrating Australian literature and creating opportunities for readers and writers to meet.
Her experience in Edinburgh has also given her a global perspective that could further strengthen Sydney's position within the international literary festival network.
Building on a strong foundation
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| Sydney Writers’ Festival |
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb said Zimet's appointment comes at an exciting point in the organisation's development.
The Festival now encompasses its major annual programme as well as an expanding year-round programme, giving audiences opportunities to engage with writers and ideas beyond the traditional festival season.
Webb highlighted Zimet's combination of international experience, editorial judgement and knowledge of Sydney Writers’ Festival and the Australian literary community.
The appointment is therefore not simply about a change in artistic leadership. It represents an opportunity to build on the Festival's existing strengths while considering how a contemporary writers’ festival can continue to evolve.
A global literary perspective
Zimet arrives with a substantial international network developed through her work in Edinburgh.
During her time at Edinburgh International Book Festival, she helped create programmes that brought together writers, thinkers and audiences from different backgrounds and countries.
That international experience could prove particularly valuable for Sydney Writers’ Festival as it continues to connect Australian readers with leading international voices.
Sydney's location in the Asia Pacific region also provides opportunities to strengthen literary connections across Australia and the wider region.
For visitors, this international outlook adds another dimension to Sydney's cultural attractions, placing literature alongside the city's established strengths in theatre, music, visual arts, food and festivals.
The success of Broadside
Zimet's Australian experience extends beyond Sydney Writers’ Festival.
In 2019, she founded and directed Broadside, the Wheeler Centre's festival of feminist ideas.
The event attracted more than 17,000 people and featured an impressive international and Australian line-up including Zadie Smith, Helen Garner, Jia Tolentino, Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Monica Lewinsky and Mona Eltahawy.
Broadside demonstrated Zimet's ability to develop ambitious programming around major contemporary ideas and connect diverse audiences with leading writers and thinkers.
That experience is likely to inform her approach to Sydney Writers’ Festival as she takes on responsibility for its future artistic direction.
Turning reading into a shared experience
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| Sydney Writers’ Festival |
A book can be read alone, but a writers’ festival allows audiences to hear an author discuss the inspiration behind a work, question ideas, discover different perspectives and share the experience with thousands of other readers.
This sense of community is central to the appeal of Sydney Writers’ Festival.
It also helps explain why literary festivals have become significant cultural tourism experiences, attracting visitors who plan trips around opportunities to hear favourite authors, discover emerging writers and participate in conversations about contemporary issues.
Sydney as a literary destination
Sydney already has many attractions for visitors interested in books, culture and ideas.
The city is home to major libraries, museums, galleries, theatres, bookshops and cultural institutions, while the State Library of New South Wales provides an important setting for literary and cultural events.
Sydney Writers’ Festival adds another layer to this cultural landscape.
The Festival's annual programme brings writers and audiences together across Sydney, while its year-round activities provide opportunities for literary engagement beyond the main May event.
The Festival's partnership with the State Library of NSW further strengthens the relationship between literature, heritage and Sydney's cultural institutions.
A new chapter begins in November
Tamara Zimet will commence as Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival in November 2026.
Her appointment provides an opportunity to look ahead to the Festival's next stage and to consider how it can continue to grow its audiences while maintaining its distinctive identity.
With international experience, Australian literary connections and a strong background in ambitious cultural programming, Zimet brings a valuable combination of perspectives to the role.
Her challenge will be to build on the Festival's established reputation while responding to the changing ways audiences discover books, writers and ideas.
Why the appointment matters to Sydney
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| Tamara Zimet |
Sydney Writers’ Festival contributes to the city's cultural identity and helps attract visitors interested in books, ideas, arts and contemporary culture.
Its programmes provide opportunities for audiences to encounter international perspectives while celebrating Australian writers and stories.
As Sydney continues to position itself as a leading cultural and tourism destination, major literary events can play an important role in encouraging visitors to explore the city beyond its traditional attractions.
For travellers planning a cultural visit to Sydney, the Festival offers an opportunity to combine literature with the city's galleries, museums, theatres, restaurants, heritage attractions and waterfront experiences.
Looking towards the future of Sydney Writers’ Festival
The appointment of Tamara Zimet signals an exciting new era for Sydney Writers’ Festival.
She returns to an organisation she knows well, but with a wealth of new international experience, relationships and ideas gained during her years in Edinburgh.
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb and Chair Robert Watkins have expressed strong confidence in Zimet's ability to lead the Festival's artistic vision into its next chapter.
For readers, writers and visitors to Sydney, the most exciting prospect will be seeing how her international perspective influences future programmes.
As Sydney Writers’ Festival continues to grow its annual and year-round activities, Tamara Zimet's return promises to bring new energy, new ideas and new literary connections to one of Australia's leading celebrations of books and ideas.
Sydney Writers’ Festival
Website: https://www.swf.org.au/Email: info@swf.org.au
Phone: +61 2 9256 3500
Address: Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
State Library of New South Wales
Website: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/Phone: +61 2 9273 1414
Address: Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
The Wheeler Centre
Website: https://www.wheelercentre.com/Address: 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Website: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/Address: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
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