2022 Saskatchewan Festival of Words promises another incredible multi-day event
The Saskatchewan Festival of Words is an annual fourday literary celebration in July that offers writing workshops, poetry readings, spoken word showcases, interviews, panels, book launches, and more. The Festival is a major summer event, now in its 26th year. In 2022, it will be both inperson and virtual. Organizers hope the blended format will increase accessibility — although they admit they are excited to mix and mingle with authors and fellow book-lovers in real physical space. The Festival is set for July 14-17, 2022. Sarah Simison, Executive Director of the Festival, said that the return to in-person is something every person she speaks with is ready for. Simison added that Moose Jaw’s hospitality makes its festival a draw for authors across the country — in addition to bringing as many renowned Saskatchewan authors as possible. The list of authors for 2022 includes David Bergen, Anthony Bidulka, Robert Currie, Khodi Dill, Tara Gereaux, Michelle Good, Warsha Mushtaq, Zarqa Nawaz, Jason Purcell, Kai Cheng Tom, and Lisa Bird Wilson. Emma Donaghue, author of international bestseller Room, will be in attendance virtually. The Festival of Words prioritizes the equity and the mental and emotional safety of marginalized groups such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color), LGBTQ+, and disabled people over the comfort of others. They strive to be representative, bringing diverse authors to share perspectives that will advance the progress of social justice in Canada. Planning for the Festival begins in September, Simison said. The lineup of authors and artists is usually confirmed by January or February. The Festival of Words staff is active throughout the
year, however, and they don’t spend all that time only planning for their major three days in July — there are events every month to keep fans engaged. Monthly events include a Performer’s Café, which is an open mic night, and a film club that shows criticallyacclaimed foreign and independent films that don’t make it to the cinema. They also have a book club, which they moved online temporarily; writing workshops; youth programs with local school partnerships. The Festival pursues partnerships with the Moose Jaw Public Library, the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery, and anyone else helping to raise the profile of literature. Amanda Farnel, Operations Coordinator for the Festival, said that the pandemic has allowed them to experiment with an increased virtual presence. Every author at the Festival will have at least one livestream of a reading, presentation, or workshop. Every session from the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery will be livestreamed, and so will every session from the Cultural Centre’s Mae Wilson Theatre. The Festival will begin on July 14 with a series of workshops in which participants can learn about things like the connection between poetry and watercolour with Kevin Wesaquate; breathing life into characters with Michelle Good; or how to write a 10-minute short film script with Daniel Scott Tysdal. There will be youth events including spoken word poetry basics with Khodi Dill; storytime with Kai Cheng Thom; and teen writing with Kristine Scarrow. And, of course, there will be plenty of interviews, readings, a book launch, a concert, trivia night, and more. See the full schedule, register for specific events, and buy a Festival pass at www.festivalofwords.com.
36 2022 ExploreMooseJaw.com
