FROM THE FOLD T E AM

We feel very grateful to be planning and preparing for another festival. For us, the 2023 festival represents an important evolution in the work we do here at the Festival of Literary Diversity.

FOLD 2023 is the second year where the FOLD will operate in a multi-modal format—beginning the week with virtual events and finishing with in-person events in Brampton.

While many are moving away from virtual or leaning into hybrid, virtual events are uniquely important. They are, in many ways, the great equalizer. No matter where you are in the world or what your circumstances are, each author and each audience member who joins a virtual event does so in a very similar way simply by accessing the internet. It’s why more than half of our events are delivered this way.

And while we treasure those virtual connections, our in-person events allow us to honour and celebrate our Brampton community. We love hosting events at the Rose Theatre, and we’ve added some new images to the virtual platform so you can get a little taste of home in the virtual space as well.

Regardless of the format, the focus this year is on connection. It’s about increasing the possibilities for connection through new formats like the Virtual Roundtables and the in-person Microworkshops. In addition to these new features and formats, this year’s festival includes a wide range of events designed for those enjoy other forms of art. In addition to book-centered panels and interviews, there are drawing-based events, food-based events, and music-based events like The Great Readception—our annual literary cabaret.

We are so grateful to our funders and our sponsors who have supported us this year. They are a critical part of our ability to deliver the festival in a multi-modal format, and their confidence in our work means so much.

We are also grateful to you, our audience and supporters. Wherever you find yourself April 30–May 7, we hope you enjoy this year’s festival. We hope it challenges your way of thinking, and that you discover old favourites and incredible new voices.

April 2023

Greetings from Mayor Patrick Brown

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Members of Brampton City Council I would like to welcome you to the 8th Annual Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) which celebrates diversity in literature by promoting diverse authors and stories in Brampton– one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities. In 2023, the FOLD is debuting its multi-modal format virtual programming from April 30 – May 3, followed by in-person programming from May 4 – 7 at The Rose. It is great to see Jael Richardson and her team continuing to organize this festival during such a challenging time, and especially wonderful to see the in-person festival programming at The Rose once again.

The 2023 festival will take place from April 30 – May 7 and features 25+ events and over 40 authors. Panels, discussions and workshops will allow guests from across Canada and around the world to participate in the festival All virtual and most in-person events will be close-captioned. This festival will bring established and emerging writers, educators, and literary professionals together with readers from all walks of life to celebrate and expand Canada’s body of diverse literature.

The festival will also provide aspiring writers with the opportunity to develop their skills and improve their writing by connecting them with other writers and by providing them with professional development opportunities that allow them to learn. I want to thank the sponsors and the Board of Directors for their ongoing efforts in promoting literacy and making this festival a success.

Enjoy the festival!

Sincerely,

Patrick Brown Mayor