Literary Arts - Events

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WordFest Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival

Word on the Street

Young Alberta Book Society Festival

Stroll of Poets

WordFest

Since its inception in 1996, 'WordFest' has become one of the premiere literary festivals in the country. Held in Calgary and Banff, the festival now draws crowds in excess of 10,000 people over the course of the festival. Even in its first year, the festival was a success. In 1988, the city of Calgary hosted the 'Olympic Writer's Festival and Book Fair'. A success in its own right, it left organizers wondering how they could continue the tradition of hosting a high-calibre literary festival in southern Alberta. Eight years later, 'WordFest' was born.

While 'WordFest' is not related to the Olympic festival, it does tap the same enthusiastic book-loving southern Albertan crowd. 'WordFest' attracts the biggest names in Canadian literature as well as the international scene. In the past, authors such as Richard Ford, Mordecai Richler, Timothy Findley, as well as Alberta's literary achievers like Governor-General Award winning Greg Hollingshead have all been featured. Not only does 'WordFest' give fans a chance to see, hear and question their favourite authors, but often it is possible to take workshops with the literary lions.

Anne Green speaks with CKUA's Sheri Harrington about interaction with and between writers at WordFest.
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The 'WordFest' festival also offers "Book Rapport," an outreach program where authors appearing at the festival meet with students to talk about writing. Highly praised by scholars and parents alike, "Book Rapport" is just one way that literary festivals can have a direct impact on the young.

With a mandate to "bring the readers and writers of Alberta together with writers of international stature and acclaim, create events that are accessible and populist in nature, thereby stimulating a greater literacy in our community," 'WordFest' is ensuring that a love of literature continues to flourish in southern Alberta.

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