Eva Antonel
You know when the leaves start showing
signs of turning colour and jackets return to
hall closets, that BookFest Windsor is not far
behind. It seems that almost every month
offers a multitude of opportunities to
celebrate the written word in Windsor Essex.
From book launches and signings, to readings
and participating in writing workshops, our
community is no stranger to all things
literary. But every fall, we wrap it all up in a
great big bookish package that has come to
symbolize our love affair with books and call
it BookFest Windsor.
Acclaimed writers from across Canada
and even farther afield, as well as promising
up-and-comers just cutting their teeth on the
literary grindstone, congregate yearly to chat,
listen, learn and participate in each other's Kevin Sylvester, presenting at the Windsor Public Library to local inner-city school
celebration and shared love of words. Literary children during BookFest 2013. Photo courtesy of Sonja Frkovic.
greats such as our own late Alistair MacLeod, writers and illustrators. The festival closes on launch tour.
Margaret Atwood, Eugene McNamara and Sunday, with Bootlegger's Brunch at
On Saturday morning, sandwiched
Rosemary Sullivan, just to name a few, have Canadian Club Heritage Centre. There will be between a panel for poets and one for
visited Bookfest Windsor in the past as well readings and discussion with Rhonda academic writers, is a scheduled award
as sharing their experience and talent at Douglas, David Homel and Michael Januska presentation for the winners of the St. Clair
much bigger book fairs around the country. with Marty Gervais, Windsor's Poet Laureate College student writing contest. This is the
After all, why shouldn't they have? Bookfest and author of Rumrunners; a Prohibition highlight of the weekend for many local
Windsor has been honoured as one of the top Scrapbook, moderating. An elegant meal, talented student writers and their families.
10 literary festivals in Canada by Canadian catered by Koolini's, a half hour tour of the With shining eyes and dressed in their finest
Geographic.
heritage building and a sampling of whiskey attire, they will receive their awards and
This year's lineup is no less exciting. round out the event.
hopefully a taste and fire for all things literary.
Nino Ricci, Leamington's own, author of the
And, just as you thought you'd have to As a child who attended a yearly festival of
prize winning Lives of the Saints trilogy, wait till next year to experience the the book in my hometown, fifty some years
Origin of the Species and the recent Sleep will excitement of Bookfest again, Lawrence Hill, ago, I can attest to the likelihood of that
launch his new book, and the festival itself, the author of The Book of Negros, makes an happening.
on Thursday, October 15 in a feature appearance at the Capitol Theatre on
For tickets and more information check
interview with Ted Shaw. Saturday is shaping November 18 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss his new out the BookFest Windsor Website.
up to be a day full of stories, poetry and art book The Illegal as part of his 2015 book
http://bookfestwindsor.com
featuring Canada's best contemporary
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October 2015 - The HUB 9