Playing upon the old idea of the ‘commons’ where communities and cultures share in a co-operative space of creativity, as well as building upon much that is common between our worldviews, Literary Commons! is a long-term and deep-impact project that brings together writers and fosters literary exchanges that are of especial relevance to Australia and India: First Nations/Indigenous and bhasha/Dalit/tribal literatures.

For the first time, a dozen Dalit and tribal writers are visiting Australia for an intimate engagement with fellow Indigenous writers and with anyone interested in powerful literature that imagines a new world for humanity.

This program is brought by Monash Asia Institute and Monash Indigenous Centre at Monash University.

The project is supported by Melbourne’s UNESCO City of Literature, the City of Melbourne and the National Organising Committee for Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (Sydney 2013).

This event highlights the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network objective on improving access to and participation in cultural life as well as the enjoyment of cultural goods and services, notably for marginalized or vulnerable groups and individuals.

Save the date for a 2-day public event on 1st-2nd April 2016 to see Dalit, tribal and Indigenous writers in conversation at the Library at the Docks.