MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, May 1, 2019 • PAGE A1
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Volume 12, Issue 18 Wed., May 1, 2019
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A number of great Canadian authors and artists will be at this year’s festival, chosen from a long list of writers interested in attending.
Exciting Lineup for Festival of Words Larissa Kurz
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The launch of this year’s Festival of Words has sparked excitement for what’s up-andcoming on this year’s schedule for the fourday event that celebrates Canadian literature as an art form. The 23rd annual Festival of Words is on the horizon and executive director Sarah Simison is enthusiastic about the lineup of authors, poets, artists and musicians that have signed on for this year. Over the four-day weekend, 25 authors will take part in over 60 events, including panels, workshops, readings, interviews, and performances. Trivia Night will be returning to Bobby’s Place, as well as the Poetry Slam Competition, which Simison noted is now a “pay what you can” kind of admission event. Sierra Noble will be performing at the Cultural Centre, and the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association will host a blanket exercise and BBQ in Crescent Park. Authors attending this year include Saskatchewan crime-writer Gail Bowen, Indigenous poet Tenille Campbell, fiction novelist Eden Robinson, and so many others. History writer Ted Barris will be running a workshop on publishing without an agent, and likely talking about his newest book about the Dam Busters from World War II
– some of which were from Moose Jaw and are honored in a mural on the side of Fish’s Pharmacy. The Festival strives to make important regional connections with the authors they invite; up to 40% of the authors each year are Saskatchewan writers. Representation is something that organizers find important, in both the industry and their lineup — the goal is to give voice to every perspective they can. “We have a whole bunch of Indigenous writers coming, people of color, that are bringing different represented points of view and beautiful stories and life experiences,” said Simison. “We’re very careful to try to create balance and regional representation.” “We always have local flavour, which I think is really appealing to people from Saskatchewan because you have [a sense of] pride, like these are our people that are writing these great books,” Simison added. “But it’s also really great for people coming from [somewhere else] because they want a taste of our province and what we’re about.” The teen writing program — a week-long workshop to encourage teens who are serious about their writing — will be happening once again, and although there is a tuition price tag, Simison explained that the festi-
val finds sponsors so that anyone can attend. Simison is also excited to have cookbook author Renee Kohlman attending, as that’s a medium that hasn’t been represented at the festival in a few years. Currently in the works is a special event in partnership with Grant Hall, for perhaps a taste of some of Kohlman’s specialized recipes, although more details are yet to come. There are a number of different ticket types available for the festival, from full weekend passes to single event admission, and are now available for purchase from the Cultural Centre’s box office — online, in person, or by calling (306) 693-4700. Simison urges people to come out and experience the beauty of Canadian literature because it may surprise you. “What I’ve discovered, is what I always end up enjoying the most are the things that are unexpected,” said Simison. “It’s a very experiential thing. So, even though I’m anticipating enjoying a few things, I get really excited about the unknown. There’s something for everyone.” Local writers will continue hosting book club and the Performer’s cafe, leading up to the July 19-22 event, and more information can be found on the Festival of Words’ website.