Frye Festival brunch toasts new writers, promotes literacy

In his essay The Educated Imagination, Northrop Frye describes literacy “as fundamental a problem as getting enough to eat or a place to sleep”. Here, in New Brunswick, the problem is so pervasive, that 60% of the province’s population would have difficulty reading and understanding Frye’s quotation.

That’s why literacy is one of the three “Ls” that fuel Moncton’s Frye Festival (language and literature being the other two); and why the Festival’s popular Brunch and Books is such a fitting close to this annual celebration of reading and writing.

This year’s Brunch and Books will be held Sunday, April 29 at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel, beginning at 10 a.m., and is made possible by the generosity of its sponsor the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. One of the brunch’s highlights is the awarding of prizes to the top six English and French new adult writers, as chosen by the Greater Moncton Literacy Advisory Board.

"Literacy opens doors for Atlantic Canadians, allowing them to reach their potential and live fuller lives," said Michelle Carinci, ALC President and CEO. "I've had the privilege of talking with adult learners and I am always awed by their courage anddedication. Through the Peter Gzowski Invitation Golf Tournaments for Literacy, to projects aimed at our youth, ALC is committed to working with Atlantic Canadians to enhance literacy throughout our region."

The brunch is also highlighted by the informal, intimate and even inspiring presentations of two festival authors. This year it’s British Columbia poet Patrick Lane and Quebec novelist Arlette Cousture who will read selections from their books and share their writing experiences with the new adult writers.

A writer for 25 years, Cousture has numerous publications to her credit including the novels Les filles de Caleb, Ces enfants d’ailleurs, J’aurais voulu vous dire William and Tout la-bas, Gypsies for television, as well as short stories.

Lane is regarded by critics and scholars as one of the finest poets of his generation. He has published numerous volumes of poetry over the last 40 years, as well as his latest memoir There is a Season: A Memoir in a Garden.

Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at the Capitol Theatre Box Office. They can also be purchased by calling 506-856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922. Due to limited seating, tickets must be purchased by April 27, so pick up yours today and don’t be disappointed.

The brunch is one of the Festival’s final day events, the other being a reading of Poet flyé’s epic creation by Paul Bosse at the Greater Moncton International Airport, at 1 p.m.