Sask. Festival of Words goes virtual — here’s what to expect
Sarah Simison is excited for “new possibilities” during the 24th annual Saskatchewan Festival of Words, which is moving online this summer due to COVID-19.
“We have people that come from all over Canada, but when you go online, it definitely increases outreach,” said Simison, executive director of the festival.
“I think that there’s going to be a lot more opportunity for people who otherwise wouldn’t be in Moose Jaw or wouldn’t have the resources to be able to participate, whether it’s to get there or the time to spend there,” agreed Dauna Ditson, one of the authors slated to participate.
The complete schedule should be released June 1 and — like previous festivals — will have a combination of author readings, workshops (including a book club with Joan Thomas), interviews, youth programming and special events.
Unlike previous festivals, rather than a jam-packed weekend, it will span seven days, July 13-19.
Also unlike previous festivals, this year’s is completely free to “attend.”
“We’re not going to have costs in terms of flights and hotels and venues ... and we were able to shuffle some of that money over into tech. But definitely, we’re going to feel a hit, no doubt about it. Businesses are struggling and people are losing their jobs, so we’re working under the assumption that businesses won’t be able to give as much as they normally do and that attendees won’t be able to donate or pay for tickets,” said Simison.
The authors and artists will still be paid for their time, and the non-profit organization is appealing for donations if people have the means.
The Saskatchewan festival is taking cues from others, like the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) in Ontario, which wrapped up its virtual festival on Sunday.
“They had really good moderators; there were really good conversations. I attended panel discussions and also a couple of workshops and it was really good. ... It felt authentically like a festival,” said Simison.
Obviously, it will be different than being in a room with a group of other people. As a result, Ditson wonders at the ability to connect.
She said the festival is committed to accessibility and “trying to anticipate some of those barriers.”
For the many seniors who attend the festival and may have challenges using the technology, the festival aims to provide technological support. Simison said they are leaning toward using the Zoom video conferencing platform. She hopes to provide captioning, too, for people with hearing challenges.
People with concerns are encouraged to call the festival office at 306-691-0557.
Technological barriers applied to some of the authors who were initially on the guest list.
A couple were living in remote areas and “didn’t feel like their Wi-fi or Internet would be conducive” to participating, said Simison.
The lineup so far is:
D. M. Ditson (non-fiction); Marina Endicott (fiction); Farah Heron (romance); Jay Ingram (non-fiction); Amanda Leduc (non-fiction); Steven Price (fiction); Bruce Rice (poetry); Naben Ruthnum (mystery); Kristine Scarrow (young adult); Paul Seesequasis (non-fiction); Joan Thomas (fiction); Bernadette Wagner (poetry); Joshua Whitehead (fiction); and, Lindsay Wong (fiction).