Writing with a tender love for her Yugambeh language, Maria van Neerven’s debut poetry collection Two Tongues reflects on the legacy of colonisation and racism, and the aftermath of intergenerational harm. Reclaiming the stories of her ancestors and giving a voice to those who weren’t allowed one, Two Tongues regathers what has been stolen to reassemble a life of compassion and – above all – love for family and Blak pride.
When two powerhouse poets come from the same family, you simply can’t miss the opportunity to see them share a stage. While many children follow in their parents’ footsteps, it was after Ellen van Neerven had established themself as one of the country’s great poets that their mother began publishing to similar acclaim. In this intimate session between mother and child, discover the importance of family and culture, and celebrate the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and their kin.
Maria van Neerven is a Mununjali poet from the Yugambeh Nation living in Meanjin. Maria was the winner of the David Unaipon Award in 2023 and was a Next Chapter Fellow in 2024. Two Tongues is her first poetry collection.
Ellen van Neerven is a writer, editor and educator of Mununjali and Dutch heritage. Ellen's fiction debut Heat and Light was the recipient of the David Unaipon Award. Ellen's latest book, Ruby's Web, is a middle grade novel.
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Tickets to main program events are included in weekend and day passes. Single tickets may be available from September 8, subject to availability.
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This venue is wheelchair accessible, and AUSLAN interpreters are available upon request. Please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au if you have any accessibility requests or wish to book an AUSLAN interpreter. More info about accessibility can be found on our Accessibility page.