Wordfest sparks lively, illuminating and meaningful conversations between Calgary’s readers and the world’s most engaging writers. Our year-round literary events culminate in a 10-day festival every October, and are programmed to inspire Calgarians to live more creative and empathetic lives. Wordfest’s trademark events include readings, workshops, panel discussions and in-school presentations from authors writing in every genre and for all ages.
For 21 years Wordfest has brought together writers from around the world to share stories and discuss ideas with readers. Wordfest™is a not-for-profit organization that hosts year-round literary events featuring the world’s best writers. More than 900 writers have presented at these events over the past 20 years, including Margaret Atwood, Douglas Coupland, Joseph Boyden, John Irving, Dennis Lee, Yann Martel, Chuck Palahniuk, Richard Ford, Alexander McCall Smith and David Suzuki.
Our programming is accessible, engaging and promotes a love of reading and a curiosity about the writing life. Events include poetry and spoken word performances, current event panels, publishing industry workshops, art installations, youth and multilingual programming, in-school performances and featured events with the biggest and brightest stars of the book scene.
OUR RESULTS
Wordfest’s main event is a literary festival that features upwards of 70 writers from the local, national and international stage. The Festival has approximately 70 separate events across Calgary and attracts an audience of more than 15,000. In addition to the annual Festival, Wordfest hosts various events throughout the year. This spring, live-author events with Yann Martel, Micah White and Guy Gavriel Kay kick off our year-round programming.
Our off-festival initiatives include public celebrations, community booths and audio-visual streaming projects that ensure wide, engaging access to the world’s best writers right here in Southern Alberta.Our programming is accessible, engaging and promotes a love of reading and a curiosity about the writing life. Events include poetry and spoken word performances, current event panels, publishing industry workshops, art installations, youth and multilingual programming, in-school performances and featured events with the biggest and brightest stars of the book scene.
20th Anniversary Festival: October 7-17, 2016
Wordfest’s main event is a literary festival that features upwards of 50+ writers from the local, national and international stage. The Festival has approximately 65+ separate events across Calgary and attracts an audience of more than 15,000.
Wordfest Youth: October 7-17, 2016
Wordfest Youth is a popular youth and education program that brings students together with authors to stimulate literacy and encourage a love of reading and writing. As part of its commitment to youth literacy, Wordfest Youth subsidizes literary events for high-needs and at-risk youth. Wordfest supports accessibility and engagement for readers of all ages.
Year-Round Initiatives
In addition to the annual Festival, Wordfest hosts various events throughout the year. This spring, live-author events with Yann Martel, Micah White, Sam Maggs, Guy Gavriel Kay, Chris Cleave and Susan Casey kicked off our year-round programming. In addition to such marquee presentations, our off-festival initiatives include public celebrations, community booths and audio-visual streaming projects that ensure wide, engaging access to the world’s best writers right here in Southern Alberta.
New Focus on Aboriginal Storytelling
There is an urgent and growing need to connect new audiences with First Nations, Inuit and Metis authors, artists and storytellers. Due perhaps in part to the recent presentation of the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the launch of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, we strongly perceive an unprecedented eagerness for understanding and connection with Indigenous communities through inspiring and informative live-audience presentations. Wordfest looks forward to renewing the expansion of its Indigenous Voices programming that began in 2015.
New Focus on making Calgary THE Readers City
Calgary is beyond ready to offer a yearly destination weekend, in which readers can engage with a major literary figure. But to make this truly reflective of Calgary, we will use each author’s “essence” as a lens through which we can showcase our city’s unique creative and collaborative culture for its residents and visitors from all over the world.Whether as a volunteer, an individual donor or a community partner, all contributions are valuable to Wordfest. They are an investment in our city, helping to build communities through a shared love of reading, writing, learning and exchanging ideas.
Wordfest is also looking for donors and volunteers to help bring thousands of people of all ages together to share their passion for the literary arts and to promote the development of active, engaged citizens and healthy communities. Contributions in any amount are appreciated and go towards supporting Wordfest as it prepares for its 20th anniversary in October 2015.
For more information, please contact Shelley Youngblut, General Director, at 403 237 9068 ext. 227, or email [email protected].