EXPLORING OUR LITTERARY HISTORY
Over a number of years author, Joan Rosier-Jones, has been sleuthing to find writers associated with Whanganui. It began with her discovery of Janet Frame’s home while living in the city, and grew from there.
“The list kept growing and my book, Literary Whanganui: A Reader’s Guide was the result, with more than 100 writers included,” says Joan.
She has organised several bus tours, visiting sites of significance to the literary history of the city. A river trip on MV Wairua was essential, as just about anyone who sailed on the river or lived beside it, had a story to tell. Many of them made reference to both the Waimarie and Wairua.
“It is wonderful that those two vessels have been resurrected from their watery resting places,” Joan says. “They add so much to the historic value of the city.”
This year’s Literary Festival will feature a City Walk which explores some important landmarks associated with our literary heritage. Find out about Mark Twain’s attitude to the statues in Moutua Gardens (Pa¯ kaitore); hear why politician and author, John A Lee, was found under the City Bridge; discover why Airini Beautrais is photographed in front of the Computer Centre. Learn about the many people who wrote about the river, and the legends who worked in the old Chronicle building.
The walking tour begins at the Farmers’ carpark and ends up at Paige’s Book Gallery. Here a light lunch will be served and participants can meet some of the local writers highlighted.
The event is on Saturday, September 28, 10am. Bookings phone Joan 021 1402202.