Vancouver Writers Fest announces roster with Naomi Klein, Mona Awad, Celeste Ng, and guest curator Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Climate-crisis panels, Giller Prize finalists, and Rick Mercer in conversation with singer Jann Arden among other events October 16 to 22
Elamin Abdelmahmoud
NAOMI KLEIN, Cherie Dimaline, Mona Awad, Celeste Ng, Rick Mercer, Jann Arden, and Michael Crummy are just some of the names taking the spotlight as Vancouver Writers Fest announces its lineup for October 16 to 22, centred on Granville Island.
The fest will encompass more than 125 authors across 85 events across multiple genres. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 18.
The festival’s guest curator is CBC Commotion host and bestselling author of Son of Elsewhere Elamin Abdelmahmoud, who has lined up offerings including Blackness as a Portal, exploring relationships of Black writers to Blackness from different vantage points; On the Edge, focusing on environmental decline and inequality; and Using Pop Culture, which examines how pop culture can serve as a connector.
Other events include Between the Pages, a conversation with the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize finalists, October 16. Elsewhere, Naomi Klein discussses her new book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World, mixing memoir with political and cultural insights, October 21.
Matt Galloway, of CBC’s The Current, weighs in on the climate crisis with noted thinkers Rebecca Solnit, Chris Turner, and John Vaillant. And Cherie Dimaline, author of The Marrow Thieves, explores identity, colonialism, and ecology on October 17.
In a pre-event, celebrated British author Zadie Smith discusses her new book The Fraud with Madeleine Thien on September 23; the event is free and presented with the UBC School of Creative Writing and the Chan Centre.
Offerings like the Poetry Bash, Literary Cabaret, and Afternoon Tea are back. Other happenings include Canadian actor and standup comedian Brent Butt in conversation with author Charles Demers on October 3 (in another pre-event), and political satirist and TV personality Rick Mercer in conversation with singer Jann Arden on November 18.
Youth Events span workshops, keynotes, and discussions with authors and illustrators including Jon Klassen, Kirsten Pendreigh, Tui T. Sutherland, and Crystal Smith.
Find the full 2023 Festival Program Guide here.
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