February 22, 2011

CALGARY – WordFest: Banff–Calgary International Writers Festival will be able to carry out its activities for the next three years, thanks to funding from the Government of Canada. This announcement was made today by Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

In addition to allowing WordFest to deliver its annual festival for the next three years, this funding will help develop long-term plans to promote literacy and the enjoyment of literary works. The 2011 edition of WordFest, which will take place from October 11 to 16, 2011, will stage more than 60 public events, including readings, discussion groups with authors, and new artistic experiences such as spoken word and multimedia presentations.

WordFest offers programming featuring French, Aboriginal, and culturally diverse artists, WordFest and engages the community with year-round outreach programs to promote literacy. For example, its Book Rapport program provides an extensive teachers’ resource guide and reaches 6500 local students every year.

“Our Government is pleased to provide Canada’s third-largest literary event with a stable funding source for its annual festival,” said Minister Moore. “Our support will enable WordFest to plan its activities over a longer term with continued emphasis on developing interest in the literary arts.”

“Once again this year, WordFest introduces to us writers from Canada and abroad whose creativity and talent will inspire audiences,” said Mr. Richardson. “In addition to promoting ongoing contact between writers and readers, this festival contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of Calgary and Banff.”

“WordFest is a nationally and internationally recognized writer’s festival that brings the best of the literary arts to Calgary and Banff, while promoting Alberta’s regional talent nationally and abroad,” said Jo Steffens, Director of WordFest. “The critical and ongoing support of the Government of Canada will enable WordFest to continue to bring readers and writers together and to expand its outreach to a variety of culturally and socially diverse communities.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $210,000 for the 2011–2012, 2012–2013, and 2013–2014 editions of WordFest through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.



Below are the remarks given by Lee Richardson, MP at a recent Writers Guild of Alberta event where he announced continued funding for WordFest.



Thank you (Jo Steffens, Director of WordFest)

I’m delighted to bring good news today on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages James Moore.

Our Government recognizes that arts organizations are important pillars in our communities that contribute to Canadians’ quality of life. Our Government is proud to support arts and culture in Canada. We know how essential a vibrant arts community is to strengthening our identity and our economy.

Thanks to our ongoing investment in arts and culture, arts organizations like yours can develop multiyear business plans and continue to create, produce, and present innovative works that will make Canadians proud.

Today, I am pleased to announce that our Government has provided a total of $210,000 to WordFest over the next three years. We are proud to provide Canada’s third-largest writers and readers event with a stable funding source for its annual festival.

By providing funding for the next three years, our support will enable WordFest to plan its activities over a longer term and continue to present authors and writers from around the world, including programming for young people and Francophone and Aboriginal audiences.

Our Government is proud to support WordFest in its efforts to offer quality arts presentations in Calgary and Banff. Thanks to you, residents of Southern Alberta have an opportunity to discover a multitude writers from Canada and abroad and to appreciate their works.

Your organization provides writers and authors with an opportunity to express their creativity and share new ideas and contributes to Canadians’ appreciation of the literary arts.

In addition to introducing us to writers from Canada and abroad, whose creativity and talent inspire audiences; WordFest promotes literacy through year-round community outreach programs in Calgary. For example, the Book Rapport program reaches 6,500 local students every year.

As an annual readers and writer’s festival, WordFest engages audiences through readings of adult and children’s literature, workshops and book signings.  I commend the festival on constantly striving to build new audiences.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the employees, committee members, and countless volunteers of WordFest for your tremendous contribution to arts and culture in Canada.  I wish you all a very successful festival once again this year and for many years to come.


Thank you