This weekend we recognize the Sunshine Coast's longest running arts celebration, the Festival of the Written Arts. For readers and writers alike it's Christmas in August.
Every year there's a surprise sleeper among the Canadian authors who appear at the Festival. In years past we had the thrill of seeing Shane Koysczan. Long before he instilled such Canadian pride in us at the Olympic ceremonies, Koysczan had the audience at Rockwood on its feet cheering loudly. We knew this young man was bound for glory.
And sometimes we met an old friend with new ears. Rex Weyler was just such a lovely surprise, modest and humble, his persona matching his message perfectly.
We've had fun at the Festival. Who could forget the inimitable Joy Fielding and pleasure she got from reading the raciest parts of her book at 9 a.m.? Even the sleepiest of us were fully awake when Fielding left the stage. Her trash-talking was a hoot.
Many of the cleverest, most charming of our writers are no longer with us. LR (Bunny) Wright has gone to the greatest mystery. Halfmoon Bay's Mike Poole is up there fixing clouds. And who can forget Peter Gzowski and his spectacular legacy to Canadian literacy. The list goes on and on; we have been truly blessed.
One of the best things to happen to the Festival in recent years is the bequest left for an event administered through the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation. The Marie Steel Memorial Endowment has for the past two years funded the New Voices part of the Festival. This year promises to be another stellar representation of the budding talent of the literary world. The Coast's own Sarah Roberts, winner of this year's Danuta Gleed Award for short fiction for her book, Wax Boats, is joined by Craig Boyko, also a prize winner for a special hour moderated by Sheryl MacKay from CBC's North by Northwest. Coast Reporter is proud to sponsor this event.
Which brings us to another point - without the ongoing support of the business community of the Sunshine Coast, the Festival would not be possible. We salute the many individuals and organizations that have contributed to this important literary event over the years.
And finally we would be remiss to not thank and acknowledge the many volunteers who have greased the Festival's wheels over the years. Beginning with the folks 28 years ago (including one of this year's presenting authors, Gwendolyn Southin) and up to and including this year's board of directors and the army of citizens who make the Festival run like clockwork. And last of all, a tip of the hat to the fantastic Festival producer Jane Davidson - she truly is amazing.
So go, enjoy the gift of the written word.
