In autumn 2017, British Council Canada launched a series of conversations between leading writers from Canada and the UK. The writers took a walk through one of four Canadian cities – Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montréal. While they walked they talked about the relationship between the city, space, identity and their own writing, comparing and contrasting views and experiences from different sides of the Atlantic.
Walking Cities Vancouver
UK poets Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger, explore the bookshops of Vancouver with Canadian poet Dina Del Bucchia.
Walking Cities Toronto
Poets Vahni Capildeo and Dionne Brand walk through Toronto’s West End and discuss the multiplicity of languages, the colonial architecture and the significance of street corners.
Walking Cities Winnipeg
Writer and performer Harry Giles from Orkney, Scotland, took an imaginary walk with Métis writer Katherena Vermette in Winnipeg, exploring the complex colonial connections between Scotland and Manitoba and the links that still exist to this day.
Walking Cities Montréal
Writers Rachel McCrum, Jonathan Lamy and Moe Clark stroll through Little Italy in Montréal reflecting on the city’s cultural diversity.
This programme was created in collaboration with The Vancouver Writers Fest, The Winnipeg International Writers Festival, the International Festival of Authors in Toronto, Mile End Poets’ Festival in Montreal, La poésie partout and Spectrum Productions.
More information here.
