Greater Toronto
IFOA – a celebration of words and ideas
Amitava Kumar... Immigrant, Montana
Ruby Namdar.... The Ruined House
By William Doyle-Marshall
Lovers of literature were invited by Harbourfront Centre to spend 11 days last month exploring the world of books and getting acquainted with the world’s leading authors. Organizers promoted it as an 11-day celebration of words and ideas for curious readers of every kind. From intimate readings to provocative interviews and panel discussions, special events and interactive presentations, the International Festival of Authors (IFOA) definitely offered a curated selection of events for every taste.
The event has long been renowned for bringing international authors to Canada to share their work – books which may never have reached Canadian readers otherwise. Caribbean authors who have appeared at IFOA over the years include Neil Bissoondath, Sam Selvon, Derek Walcott, Louise Bennet-Coverley, Austin Clarke and Dany Laferrière.
Among the 2018 participants were Amitava Kumar who attended the literary gathering with his latest book “Immigrant, Montana” and Ruby Namdar was at the world-class happening with his new publication “The Ruined House”. According to festival organizers, both authors showcased a portrait of American life in New York at the turn of the 21st century from unique perspectives.
Kumar presented the perspective of a coming-of-age immigrant in his university years and Namdar dealt with the deterioration of a successful, middle-aged Jewish professor.
Book lovers were invited to settle in for an engaging discussion on the comparison and contrast of these two books, which comment on the confusion of cultural values, while blending the personal with the political. Amitava Kumar and Ruby Namdar were interviewed by Ian Austen.
Robyn Kaur Sidhu is a Queer, Punjabi-Canadian poet based in what is colonially known as Hamilton, Ontario. She is the Burlington Slam Project’s 2018
Lovers of literature were invited by Harbourfront Centre to spend 11 days last month exploring the world of books and getting acquainted with the world’s leading authors. Organizers promoted it as an 11-day celebration of words and ideas for curious readers of every kind. From intimate readings to provocative interviews and panel discussions, special events and interactive presentations, the International Festival of Authors (IFOA) definitely offered a curated selection of events for every taste.
The event has long been renowned for bringing international authors to Canada to share their work – books which may never have reached Canadian readers otherwise. Caribbean authors who have appeared at IFOA over the years include Neil Bissoondath, Sam Selvon, Derek Walcott, Louise Bennet-Coverley, Austin Clarke and Dany Laferrière.
Among the 2018 participants were Amitava Kumar who attended the literary gathering with his latest book “Immigrant, Montana” and Ruby Namdar was at the world-class happening with his new publication “The Ruined House”. According to festival organizers, both authors showcased a portrait of American life in New York at the turn of the 21st century from unique perspectives.
Kumar presented the perspective of a coming-of-age immigrant in his university years and Namdar dealt with the deterioration of a successful, middle-aged Jewish professor.
Book lovers were invited to settle in for an engaging discussion on the comparison and contrast of these two books, which comment on the confusion of cultural values, while blending the personal with the political. Amitava Kumar and Ruby Namdar were interviewed by Ian Austen.
Robyn Kaur Sidhu is a Queer, Punjabi-Canadian poet based in what is colonially known as Hamilton, Ontario. She is the Burlington Slam Project’s 2018
Geoffrey Taylor
Grand Slam Champion. Robyn is also the 2018 American National Poetry Slam Rookie of the Year. She participated in the Poetry Slam Game, a terrific poetry journey no lover of this genre wants to miss. Produced in collaboration with the Toronto Poetry Project, this lively and entertaining bout of poetry is the final round of a four-part poetry slam featuring winners from three previous competitions held during the summer.
"We were honoured to host distinguished guests Robyn Kaur Sidhu, Amitava Kumar and Ruby Namdar at this year's Festival," said Geoffrey Taylor, Director, Toronto International Festival of Authors. “Their ideas and words have enriched our cultural landscape and we are grateful for their many contributions," he concluded.
Britta B. a Toronto-based spoken word poet, emcee and arts educator, whose works have been featured on TEDx, The Walrus Talks, CBC Radio’s Day 6, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, was one of the eloquent performers. Britta is currently a member of the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab.
Also appearing at the festival was Aviaq Johnston a young Inuk author from Igloolik, Nunavut. Her debut novel Those Who Run in the Sky was shortlisted for the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People’s Literature and a 2017 Honour Book for the Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Young Adult Literature. She won the 2018 inaugural Indigenous Voices Award for Most Significant Work of Prose in English by an Emerging Indigenous Writer. She is also the author of the bestselling picture book, What’s My Superpower? Aviaq divides her time between Iqaluit, Nunavut and Ottawa, Ontario.
Britta B. a Toronto-based spoken word poet, emcee and arts educator, whose works have been featured on TEDx, The Walrus Talks, CBC Radio’s Day 6, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, was one of the eloquent performers. Britta is currently a member of the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab.
Also appearing at the festival was Aviaq Johnston a young Inuk author from Igloolik, Nunavut. Her debut novel Those Who Run in the Sky was shortlisted for the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award for Young People’s Literature and a 2017 Honour Book for the Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Young Adult Literature. She won the 2018 inaugural Indigenous Voices Award for Most Significant Work of Prose in English by an Emerging Indigenous Writer. She is also the author of the bestselling picture book, What’s My Superpower? Aviaq divides her time between Iqaluit, Nunavut and Ottawa, Ontario.
Carol Off, Host of CBC's "As It Happens"
Carol Off, the host of CBC Radio’s "As It Happens" brought her extensive experience in both Canadian and international current affairs to this year’s festival. Off has covered conflicts in the Middle East, Haiti, the Balkans and the sub-continent, as well as events in the former Soviet Union, Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada. She reported the fallout from the 9/11 disasters with news features and documentaries from New York, Washington, London, Cairo and Afghanistan. She has won numerous awards for her CBC television documentaries in Asia, Africa and Europe and is the author of four books, most recently, All We Leave Behind, a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction and the Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction. She lives in Toronto.
The 39th edition of the Festival of Authors closed, after bringing together thousands of book lovers to meet, learn and hear from over 200 of the world’s leading authors.
“Together, over the course of more than 60 events, we shared razor-sharp laughs, moving melodies, joyful celebrations and hard-hitting conversations. From university campuses to Toronto’s Union Station and the picturesque waterfront, it paved ways for emerging writers and celebrated outstanding achievements. We also bridged gaps towards better mutual understanding by spotlighting diverse Canadian, international and Indigenous voices and by discussing such critical themes as intergenerational dialogue, cultural identity and gender diversity,” according to an IFOA statement.
The 39th edition of the Festival of Authors closed, after bringing together thousands of book lovers to meet, learn and hear from over 200 of the world’s leading authors.
“Together, over the course of more than 60 events, we shared razor-sharp laughs, moving melodies, joyful celebrations and hard-hitting conversations. From university campuses to Toronto’s Union Station and the picturesque waterfront, it paved ways for emerging writers and celebrated outstanding achievements. We also bridged gaps towards better mutual understanding by spotlighting diverse Canadian, international and Indigenous voices and by discussing such critical themes as intergenerational dialogue, cultural identity and gender diversity,” according to an IFOA statement.
