Portrait of Mununjali poet, Maria van Neerven, wearing a pink beanie and blue jacket as she smiles subtly; blurred Australian landscape as the background.

30 Mar

Maria van Neerven: Two Tongues

Two Tongues is the powerful and poignant debut from David Unaipon Award-winning poet, Maria van Neerven.

Developed as a part of The Wheeler Centre’s The Next Chapter fellowship in 2024, Two Tongues reflects on the legacy of colonisation and the aftermath of intergenerational harm. In the collection, van Neerven reclaims the stories of her ancestors and gives a voice to those who weren’t allowed one in the past. Written with a tender love for the Yugambeh language, Two Tongues shines a light on the enduring power of Blak culture and heritage.

Join Maria van Neerven alongside Maxine Beneba Clarke – van Neerven’s mentor throughout her fellowship – and Ellen van Neerven for a magical night of readings and celebration of Indigenous language and connection to Country.