Vancouver literary fest to feature Fil-Canadian writers

Works of Asian authors, including Filipinos, are among the featured books. HANDOUT

Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest literary arts festival that brings together established and emerging writers, literary exhibitors, and book-lovers from across the Lower Mainland kicks off Sept.16 at the UBC Robson Square.

Since its inaugural Festival in 1995, Word Vancouver has grown year after year, attracting increasing numbers of visitors from across British Columbia and Canada, making it a primary event in Western Canada’s literacy and literary community.

“Every year brings new books, authors, and readers to Word Vancouver, along with those who return to share their work, long-time patrons who bring new friends and volunteers who have dedicated their time because they love the festival,” said Bonnie Nish, executive director of the 2023 Festival.

Guests can catch In-person and hybrid events at UBC Robson Square until September 23, although online and offsite events were held earlier.

The Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop at the festival includes Philippine Canadian News Editor in Chief, Ted Alcuitas. (PCN is a content partner of Inquirer.net)

Alcuitas is among the authors in Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing (Cormorant Books), the first anthology of Filipino Canadian works published by a mainstream press, coming out at a time when the Filipino diasporic population in Canada is fast approaching one million.

Alcuitas, Patria Rivera and Leah Ranada will read from their contributions to this landmark project at 1-2 p.m. at Room C485, UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street Vancouver, BC, V5S 0G4Canada (map).

The event will be moderated by C.E. Gatchalian, an author of six books and co-editor of two anthologies. He was the 2013 recipient of the Dayne Ogilvie Prize and a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. His memoir, Double Melancholy: Art, Beauty and the Making of a Brown Queer Man, was published in 2019 by Arsenal Pulp Press.

Festival Program / Watch Live Stream