This May, the Ottawa International Writers Festival will return with its 50th festival in 28 years, marking a milestone for the festival that has featured over a thousand authors over that timespan. Between May 1st and 4th, then again between May 14th and 16th, Ottawa residents will be treated to more special events featuring notable writers. Previously featured authors have included Dionne Brand, Charlie Angus, Vincent Lam, and Dr. Gabor Maté. The full lineup for this spring's edition is forthcoming. In addition, the festival promises the return of its workshop series, which it says will give writers "the opportunity to hone own craft with some of the world’s greatest authors." Meanwhile, those who are interested in the festival but can't attend in person can still view the events via the festival's streaming service. The streaming platform also serves as an archive of past events, allowing viewers to re-experience them later. Those who want to support the festival with a patronship can still do so. This spring, donating with a patronship will enter Festival Patrons into a contest to "win every book of the Spring Festival proper AND every book in the fall." The festival notes that this will amount to over a thousand dollars in books. In advance of the spring festival, the organization's first solo event of the year is set to take place on March 6th. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against Thiswith Omar El Akkad will be held at 7 pm at St. John the Evangelist at 154 Somesert St. W. The Writers Festival is also partnering with Carleton University to present the 2024-25 Munro Beattie Lecture on February 4th. Imps and Imposters: Where Do Stories Come From with Ann-Marie MacDonald will be free to attend at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre at 7:30 pm.
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