MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Some people thought Gary Hyland’s vision of bringing together writers and readers to celebrate Canadian literature in his prairie hometown was too visionary.
“Some thought he was out of his mind,” said Irene Grobowsky, the promotions and office manager for the Saskatchewan Festival of Words. “He called in a lot of favours to get people to come that first year.”
After that, it was easy. The writers helped spread the word and the Moose Jaw event became known for its intimate atmosphere, allowing high-profile writers and ordinary readers to rub shoulders in workshops and plenary sessions.
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The 12th annual festival, bearing the theme Character Matters, will begin July 17 and is dedicated to the man who started it all.
Hyland, a poet, teacher and arts activist, likely won’t attend. He has a rapidly progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
He volunteered for years as the festival’s co-ordinator.
“Gary is one of those rare people who combines creativity along with wonderful organizational ability,” Grobowsky said.
The festival will honour him during a July 18 luncheon, when four people will read selections of his poetry.
Featured authors this year include 2007 Giller Prize winner Elizabeth Hay and Governor General’s Award winner for poetry, Don Domanski.
Regina-born Daphne Bramham, from Vancouver, will read from The Secret Lives of Saints, her book about polygamy in Canada.
All the writers are Canadian, and they include writers of fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry.
“There is a nice contingent of Saskatchewan writers,” added Grobowsky.
Visual presentations include a display of works by Saskatchewan painter Dorothy Knowles and a book signing by the author of The Art of Dorothy Knowles.
The program also features sessions for children and teenagers.
Grobowsky has been involved since the beginning, first as a volunteer, then a part-time employee and finally full time.
“I love it,” she said. “The opportunity to talk to writers, exchange ideas, it’s stimulating.”
She said none of the writers has ever been difficult to deal with, even the most famous ones.
“Margaret Atwood was delightful,” she said.
The festival typically sells about 225 full passes and counts about 4,000 admissions during the four-day event. It draws from as far away as Colorado.
Grobowsky added that a strong volunteer group is the backbone of the event.
The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild and South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, along with Hyland, have established the Gary Hyland Endowment Fund. It will provide an annual grant to a promising writer older than 19 who has not yet published a book. It will also help provide equipment to people afflicted with ALS. Contributors to the fund can designate how they want their donation allocated, for one or both purposes.
More information on the festival can be found at www.festivalofwords.com.
