WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg and Random House are picking up ‘Dropped Threads’ with an inaugural Carol Shields Symposium on Women’s Writing: Festival of Voices on May 8 -10, 2009 in Convocation Hall. The symposium celebrates Carol Shields’ work and legacy with three days of presentations, writing workshops, discussions, and performances exploring trends in writing and creativity.
Optimism & Nerve
“The Shields family is excited about the Festival of Voices,” said her daughters Sara and Catherine Shields. “It brims with the same intelligence, optimism, and nerve that Carol brought to her desk and the work of redeeming and restoring – in fiction, poetry, plays, essays and biography – women’s lives to history and their communities.”
Critically Acclaimed Canadian Writers
CBC’s Writer & Company host Eleanor Wachtel along with critically acclaimed Canadian writers including Joan Barfoot – Sandra Birdsell – Gail Anderson-Dargatz – Joan Clark – Lorna Crozier – Andrew Davidson –– Jane Urquhart plus contributors of the three Dropped Threads anthologies – will be participating in this first of a tri-annual national event for writers, readers and all who are drawn to exploration and celebration of writing and our country’s wealth in creative artists.
Unique Opportunities
“This inaugural Symposium establishes unique opportunities to honour Carol Shields,” said Marjorie Anderson, co-editor with Carol of the Dropped Threads series. “The Festival of Voices is inspired by Carol’s creativity and by her spirit of support and celebration for women’s writing which was integral to the success of the Dropped Threads anthologies.”
Enthusiasm & Generosity
Anne Collins, who published both Carol Shields’s fiction in Canada and the Dropped Threads anthologies, said, “I can imagine how thrilled Carol would be by this gathering. If we all bring even a smidgeon of her enthusiasm and generosity to the proceedings, we’ll raise the roof as well as create a wonderful living tribute to one of our greatest writers.”
Award-winning Composer
Award-winning Canadian composer Randolph Peters has been commissioned to create a choral piece based on Shields’ writings that will premiere at the symposium.
The official opening of the Carol Shields Memorial Labyrinth in King’s Park, which will take place on Sunday, May 10, 2009, will be part of the Symposium and will include participation from the Shields’ family.
Symposium Teasers
McNally Robinson offers upcoming Symposium teasers/appetizers as a taste of what the Festival of Voices will offer Mini Book Club Rally – Tuesday, April 21 at 8 pm (Grant Park) – ‘Dropped Threads’ Contributor Reunion – Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 pm (Polo Park).
For registration and details on the symposium, please visit http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/festival-of-voices.
