If the content you are seeing is presented as unstyled HTML your browser is an older version that cannot support cascading style sheets. If you wish to upgrade your browser you may download Mozilla or Internet Explorer for Windows.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words

CTE photo
One of the performance halls for the Festival

Spoken word summer festival founded by Gary Hyland in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1996 and dedicated to celebrating the imaginative use of words (oral and written), in all forms so as to entertain and enlighten readers and listeners. In 2000, the festival's name was changed from "Prairie Festival of Words" to "Festival of Words", and recently the provincial designation was added.

Since its founding it has presented readings and performances by writers, performing artists, and singers from across the country and, importantly, from the community of Moose Jaw itself.

Among presenters or performers at the festival have been Peter Gzowski, Ben Wicks, Ken Mitchell, Rex Murphy and Guy Vanderhaeghe. The 1999 edition featured Kit Pearson and Al Purdy (among many others). The theme for the 2000 edition was Home to the Heartland from Canada's Many Shores, featuring Ken Mitchell, Erika Ritter, Pam Wallin, Sheree Fitch and Allan Fotheringham among others. In 2011 Yvette Nolan was the featured playwight.

Performances are aimed at a broad audience including children.

Viewings: The Last Word From Moose Jaw, dir. Jeff Beesley, Reeleye Media, 1997

Website: www.festivalofwords.com

Last updated 2011-08-31