Editors’ Picks: Five Must-See Festival of Dangerous Ideas Events, From Pussy Riot to Salman Rushdie

From impartiality in journalism and the commodification of art to fast fashion and fatwas, no topic is taboo for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The daring festival, presented by The Ethics Centre, returns to Sydney from August 20 to 30. It’s the 13th rendition of the festival which platforms thinkers, makers and troublemakers.

“Festival of Dangerous Ideas keeps getting bigger because global problems keep getting bigger,” said festival director Danielle Harvey in a statement. “Instead of doomscrolling or pretending someone else will fix it, we’ve met complexity head on, and audiences are responding. This year that means punk bands and philosophy, banned books and dangerous films, and a Schools Day that puts students in the room with the ideas that will shape their future.

“What unites it all is a refusal to look away – from extremism, authoritarianism, the uncomfortable question of what it costs to speak and what it costs to stay silent.”

Here are five events you can still book. 

Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie

The Satanic Verses author’s account of the knife attack that came more than 30 years after Ayatollah Khomeini placed a fatwa on his life was one of the best – and most harrowing – books I read last year. The thought of seeing some of those chapters brought to life on the screen makes me a little squeamish – but this story of survival and optimism in the face of religious extremism is too riveting to look away. – Dan Cunningham, food and drink features editor 

Killing Culture

Art is inherently political but never created in a vacuum. This panel of artists – made up of Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina, Australian artist Brook Andrew, musician and comedian Tim Minchin, South African Australian writer and activist Sisonke Msimang, and American director John Cameron Mitchell – explores how the commercialisation of art hinders expression, and what happens when risk-averse institutions counsel against dissent. If anyone is well-placed to predict the future of the industry it’s these five panellists. – Lucy Bell Bird, national assistant editor

The Illusion of Impartiality

If I’m honest, I’ve never felt confidently impartial about much. I feel things deeply – a true Pisces. My emotions run high. It’s good to feel things, but at times I’ve had to push my feelings to one side to get my nine-to-five done. But when it comes to reporting on the climate crisis, genocide or simply the sky-rocketing cost of living, are any journalists ever writing from a neutral place? Can it be done? Or is impartiality a “disguised claim to authority”? I’m keen to dive in. – Grace MacKenzie, Sydney food and drink editor

Copy, Paste, Profit

There’s so much history and storytelling intertwined with the clothes we wear. Copy, Paste, Profit will be a valuable reminder of that – with a focus on Indian design and its ongoing fight to survive and thrive in the face of colonial oppression and appropriation. The panel will also explore how fast fashion has exacerbated problems faced by the industry. – Rashmi Mohotti, social media coordinator

Meltdown

I love the way Festival of Dangerous Ideas promotes uncomfortable conversations and explores sensitive topics. But after a few sessions, there can be a lot weighing on your mind. I’m planning on attending Meltdown (instead of having one) at Heaps Normal Health Club to let off some steam between panel discussions. The whole line-up is great, but I’m looking forward to live, chaotic sets from Mac The Knife and Ponzi Scheme. – Scott Renton, Hot List editor