2021-09-22

Annual Lunenburg Literary Festival returns as an in-person event

by GAYLE WILSON

  • <p>FACEBOOK PHOTO, SOUTH SHORE PUBLIC LIBRARIES</p><p>Sixth annual festival runs Sept. 23-25.</p>

Now in its sixth year and in contrast with last year's online event, the Lunenburg Literary Festival returns September 23 to 25 as an in-person event.

This year's three-day schedule features a diverse line-up of authors, all currently living in Nova Scotia. All events will be held in compliance with current Nova Scotia public health directives.

Taking place at locations throughout the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Lunenburg School of the Arts , Lunenburg Heritage Band Stand, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, the literary festival is designed to showcase "the cultural diversity, architectural history, and natural beauty of the town and region," according to a statement by its organizers, South Shore Public Libraries (SSPL).

Events begin on September 23, with a free kids' presentation by Lindsay Ruck. Known for her books on African Nova Scotian history, Ruck will read from her first book for younger readers, Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians. That evening, emerging authors will have a chance to pitch their book-in-progress to local publishers at the Pitch the Publisher event.

Friday evening features readings and conversation with three novelists. SSPL advises that Francesca Ekwuyasi's Butter Honey Pig Bread was a finalist for the 2021 Canada Reads and has been nominated for numerous other literary awards. Ronan O'Driscoll's second novel, Poor Farm, examines the history of autism and is rooted in O'Driscoll's exploration of "poor farms" in Nova Scotia. Morgan Murray's first novel, Dirty Birds, is described as a coming-of-age, rom-com, crime-farce thriller. Dirty Birds was long listed for Canada Reads 2021, the 2021 Stephen Leacock medal, and also other awards.

Organizers are promising another one of the popular Literary Walking Tours on September 25, hosted by Lunenburg Travel co-founder and folklore buff Ashlee Feener.

The annual non-fiction panel in the afternoon September 25 celebrates "Bluenose 100" with Marq de Villiers, author of Witch in the Wind: The True Story of the Legendary Bluenose, and historian and former Bluenose deckhand Devyn Kaizer.

Lunenburg Lit concludes that evening with three celebrated authors of various genres. Tyler LeBlanc's debut nonfiction title, Acadian Driftwood, won the 2021 Evelyn Richardson Award. Short-fiction writer David Huebert has won numerous awards, including the Dartmouth Book Award. His second collection, Chemical Valley, is forthcoming. Novelist and humorist Lesley Crewe has authored 12 books. Her latest essay collection, I Kid You Not!, follows her bestselling collection Are You Kidding Me?!

Tickets can be purchased at any branch of South Shore Public Libraries, Block Shop Books, and Lunenburg Bound Books and Paper or by calling 902-543-2548. Ticket prices: $20 for a single event or $50 for an all-event pass.

Full schedule and details are available on the Lunenburg Lit website: www.lunenburglitfestival.ca

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