MARGAREE FORKS, N.S. — Linden MacIntyre, Donna Morrissey, Frank MacDonald, Lynne Coady, Carol Off, Alexander Macleod, Beatrice MacNeil, Lisa Moore, Silver Donald Cameron, Michael Winter. These are just a few of the authors, many with Cape Breton connections, who have read at the annual Canada Day Literary Festival, at the Coady Tompkins Memorial Library in Margaree Forks, over the past decade.
This year, in celebration of our 10th annual festival, we have invited a diverse group of Atlantic Canadian authors to share the stage.
Bernice Morgan from Newfoundland describes, in Random Passage, the inhospitable hardships faced by settlers of Cape Random, an out port of Newfoundland. A CBC television series by the same name followed.
Anne Lévesque, originally from Quebec and now living in Inverness County, poet and essayist, will read from her first novel Lucy Cloud.
Graham Steele served as a Nova Scotia MLA for 12 years, and finance minister in his final term. Grahame has written two books; What I Learned about Politics is designed to help citizens understand what really happens behind the political scene.
Sarah Mian from Halifax will read from her award winning debut novel When the Saints.
Carol Bruneau, also from Halifax, is a prolific acclaimed writer of five novels; her most recent and brilliant novel is A Circle on the Surface.
Joining this group of authors, Joanne MacIntyre from Mabou Coal Mines, Gaelic singer, step dancer and story interpreter, will perform with her family.
The Canada Day Literary Festival takes place at 2 p.m. at the library. Admission is by donation (minimum $10), cash or credit card. Refreshments will follow the readings on the library grounds. This event is sponsored by the Margaree Area Development Association.
It’s a summer occasion not to be missed.
The Canada Day Weekend will kick off with Ashley MacIssac and friends performing at the SW Margaree Hall on June 29. Abbey Mullendore from Mabou will open the show.
Food truck and full bar service will be available; start time 8 p.m. and admission is $20 (cash only).
A special event this year is a workshop/conversation led by Bernice Morgan to be held at the Big Interval Salmon Lodge June 30 at 3 p.m. Please register by calling Maria Coady at 902-248-2211.
