The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Writers Fest knows how to throw a birthday party!
This fall, the celebration of books and the men and women who write them is turning 25 and organizers have a star-studded lineup of people to help them blow out the candles.
Margaret Atwood will participate in a panel celebrating the 40th anniversary of the publication of Survival, her groundbreaking analysis of Canadian literature.
Canadian literary giant Alistair MacLeod will unveil his short story written exclusively for the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Writers Fest.
Journalist and Giller Prize-winner Linden MacIntyre will moderate the closing event, featuring two of this planets leading scientists, David Suzuki and Tim Flannery.
Famed British novelist Martin Amis will present his highly anticipated new novel Lionel Asbo.
Also attending will be Jane Urquhart, Vincent Lam, M.G. Vassanji and Rawi Hage, Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot DÃaz and Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent.
This year we are celebrating by also bringing favourites like Ivan E. Coyote, Patrick Lane, Kate Mosse and Donna Morrissey back to Vancouver. But because of our reputation we are also able to attract international names like Cory Doctorow, Nuruddin Farah, Junot DÃaz and Chris Cleave for the first time, says Hal Wake, the festivals artistic director.
Another feature is a theatrical installation by Vancouvers Electric Company Theatre. Initiation Trilogy is an adaptation of three literary works by local writers. The Festival will also present events in collaboration with Chor Leoni, Ruby Slippers Theatre, singers from Christ Church Cathedral, former Rheostatics leader Dave Bidini and Radio-Canada.
Two other special events bookend the Festival. Michael Chabon, author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Yiddish Policemens Union, talks about his latest book, Telegraph Avenue, on Sept. 26 and, on Nov. 19, CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi will talk about his memoir, 1982.
The festival runs from Oct. 16 to 21 on Granville Island: . Tickets go on sale Sept. 5.
(604-629-8849). Tickets will also be available at the Writers Fest box office, 1398 Cartwright Street.
