"The mission of the Festival is to enhance quality of life by stimulating literacy through bringing readers of all ages together with writers of local, national and international stature in events that are accessible and populist in nature."
Now one of Canada's premier literary events, WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival started in Calgary and Banff in 1996, with the assistance of the following founding organizations: The Banff Centre, Mount Royal College, the Writers' Guild of Alberta and the Calgary Public Library.
WordFest, a registered charitable organization, has its own board of directors and is still actively supported in different ways by the Banff Centre and other founding organizations. The Festival also runs with the support and donations of many other corporations, organizations, individuals and government bodies.
WordFest has flourished since its inception, and each year attracts over 12,000 people. Marquee writers from Canada and around the world have attended the Festival including award-winners Margaret Atwood, Karen Connelly, Roddy Doyle, Richard Ford, Mavis Gallant, Greg Hollingshead, Austin Clarke, Wayne Johnston, Louis de Bernires, Guy Vanderhaeghe and the late Canadian literary icons Mordecai Richler and Timothy Findley.
Each year, many of these celebrated writers participate in our innovative educational program: Book Rapport. Designed to connect authors and students through interactive presentations, Book Rapport encourages creativity and cultivates interest in the literary arts. Since its inception, Book Rapport has been phenomenally successful and highly praised by educators as a terrific way to bring kids into the world of literacy and reading.
WordFest takes place at numerous venues over a six-day period each fall in Calgary and Banff; main venues include Calgary's Vertigo Theatre Playhouse and Studio and The Banff Centre. The Festival has expanded to include a number of readings and other events that take place at other times throughout the year.
WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival has become an internationally recognized event that is truly a celebration of the written and spoken word.
