Festival Introduction

“Was I deceiv’d, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?” John Milton

As far as I can figure, the phrase Silver Lining was first coined by John Milton in Comus, way back in 1634. Turns out, things were pretty rough then, too. A conservative author was tried for being overly critical of the theatre, there was a bit of a dust up in Smolenks and an occasional news items published about climate change (no Murdoch press then obviously).

To that end, after a year of tracksuit pants and well-worn sneakers, of losing sleep and gaining weight, of imploding with concern and brimming with pride and discovering a sense of intestinal fortitude and perhaps, like Comus, a touch too much libation, we announce with joy and jubilation and a solid cocktail of caution, The Williamstown Literary Festival 2021 theme — Silver Lining.

Come 18 to 20 June 2021, we will return to the majestic Town Hall in Williamstown where well-dressed folk will step from a scenic setting into the middle of the hall and our sable cloud will turn forth her silver lining and celebrate once again our annual winter west festival of words.

Can’t wait to see you live and online.

Stella Kinsella, Program Director, Williamstown Literary Festival