Heliconian 2019-2020

I value the opportunity to hear authors speak firsthand about their work and creative process because it brings me a deeper appreciation for the text. The Heliconian Lectures are just such an opportunity to slow down to more deeply process the words on the page as well as the effort and the insights that bring them shape. In the cases where the author's work is explored by another, it's the occasion to appreciate a layered point of view.

The Hall is a beautiful space. I enjoy the changing gallery of art on the walls, I like a front row seat, the cheese and crackers beforehand are a nice little treat. More than anything it's also good to go with a friend and talk a little bit more on the way home about what we heard... how different statements resonate (or don't). Kaarina has been my date these last several years and I enjoy her take on the lectures. This year we signed up for Thursdays:

This year the Heliconian Lectures were interrupted by Covid and several authors presented online. It was a bit disappointing at first, even though the recordings still afforded the same chance to gain a better understanding of the works... just not in the same way. Some of the presenters were obviously uncomfortable in the new format. My favourite was Michael Crummy, who took the 'audience' into his writing environment and acted as though it was a realtime presentation.

 

in person....

Kerri Sakamoto: Floating City (September)
Sarah Henstra: The Red Word (October)
Helen Humphreys: Machine Without Horses (November)
Judy Rebick: Heroes In My Head: A Memoir (January)
David Bezmozgis: Immigrant City (February)

interrupted 

~ Available Online  May/June ~

Tamara Faith Berger: Queen Solomon​
Sandra Martin on Sally Rooney: Normal People  

Suanne Kelmann on Patrick Radden Keefe: Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland  

Michael Crummey: The Innocents

to be continued....

October 8: Jennifer Robson: The Gown

November 5:Cecil Foster: They Call Me George: The Untold Story of Black Train Porters and The Birth of Modern Canada