Sometimes, in small places, remarkable things happen, kind of organically.
Such is the story of the soon-to-open, for its 25th annual weekend, Lakefield Literary Festival, which began in 1995 in that richly endowed community and has flourished since then, thanks to wise decisions, smart people and deep volunteer commitment.
I once taught English literature at Lakefield College School and got to befriend the iconic Canadian novelist Margaret Laurence, who was Manitoba-born but a Lakefield resident by choice. I remember her house on Regent Street, lined wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling with books from Britain, America and the world. Literature from Canada covered another wall. She was inspiring, and Brenda Neill, a teacher, and Ron Ward, a Baptist minister, were inspired.
Thus began a modest summer gathering for Canadian readers and writers, to be celebrated around the time of Margaret Laurence's birthday. She had died in 1987.
Our area has been rich in writers — both famous, such as Catharine Parr Traill, Susannah Moodie and Drew Hayden Taylor, and the less famous — and also with readers. The high schools have always had strong English departments and eager readers, and the libraries are good. I'm sure there are 200 book clubs for adults here. Canadians are reading online for sure, but they also buy books and think that reading is important. We have, every March, on our national broadcaster, a week of book discussion called "Canada Reads."
Lakefield Literary Festival grew slowly but it is now of national importance. The committee decided some years ago to maintain its modest size, with no venue larger than the auditorium at Lakefield College School.
Canadian writers like to come: Summer in the Kawarthas is appealing. One of this year's highlights will be Booker and Giller prizewinning novelist Michael Ondaatje in conversation with publisher Louise Dennys.
It is stunning to realize that LLF has brought more than 60 important Canadian writers here, including Elizabeth Hay, Peter Gzowski, Jane Urquhart, Heather O'Neill, Lisa Moore and Rawi Hage.
The prices have been kept moderate. There has been a sensitivity, shown by such people as Stephanie Ford Forrester, to both the national and the local scene.
Two other features of the festival are showcasing the work of Indigenous writers — this year, Lee Maracle, Columpa Bobb and Duncan McCue — and encouraging the work of young writers through a contest.
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN...
Opinion
Rosemary Ganley: Going home again as Kirkland Lake...
Opinion
Greenup: Fill up with cold, clean and free water...
Opinion
Peterborough letter: Election is right time for...
Lucille Strath remembers the late Alisdair Wallace in 1999 beginning this young writers project. This year there were 70 submissions of fiction, non-fiction and poetry from regional high schoolers.
Many Lakefield people remember with pleasure the wisdom of the late, great Richard Wagamese in 2014. Brenda Neill mentions how much help Shelley Ambrose, publisher of Walrus magazine, has been to the festival. Another memory includes writer Andrew Piper stepping in for the ill Wayne Johnston with an hour's notice. In the middle of the 2004 Peterborough floods, Mayor Sylvia Sutherland kept her commitment.
John Boyko is this year's chair. "We are small, but mighty," he says, "thanks to volunteers and sponsors."
I plan on going on a literary walk with Mark Finnan, and to a session with Peterborough authors Jane Bow, Laura Rock Gaughan and Andrew Forbes. I'd like to meet Tima Kurdi, who wrote "The Boy on the Beach," the story of the death of her Syrian nephew, drowning trying to cross the Mediterranean, whose picture so saddened the world. It will be part of a reading on leaving and coming home. It's relevant to me right now, as I just spent time in my hometown, Kirkland Lake, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
There will be a children's book tent, in Cenotaph Park, just over the bridge, and three opportunities for aspiring writers to discuss their hopes and plans with Wayne Grady, Drew Hayden Taylor and Kevin Silvester.
Lakefield Literary means enrichment in the summer, year after year; stimulation, consolation and imagination right here at home.
Full schedule: www.lakefieldliteraryfestival.com.
Reach writer, teacher and activist Rosemary Ganley at rganley2016@gmail.com
Reach writer, teacher and activist Rosemary Ganley at rganley2016@gmail.com
HEADLINES NEWSLETTER
TOP STORIES, delivered to your inbox.
Top Stories