PurdyFest #8/CCLA report by Patrick Connors

Purdy Country Literary Fest 8

CCLA Member Readings at Zen River Gardens

by Patrick Connors

Marmora:  Simcoe Day weekend marked the 8th Purdy Country Literary Fest.  Named after Canadian icon Al Purdy, it featured a symposium at Marmora Public Library, a reading at Marmora Dam, and a CCLA (Canada Cuba Literary Alliance) member reading on the Moira River in the nearby hamlet of Malone.

"We have been going through Canadian history," festival organizer Chris Faiers said, "honouring and examining People's Poets.  Usually, it has been male poets we have covered, such as Purdy, Milton Acorn, etc.  This year, we duly selected Pauline Johnson.  She is so important as an early feminist, as well as a defender of Native rights, and also as a fine poet.  She may be the foremost People's Poet our country has ever had.  When she died in 1913, she was probably the most famous Canadian in the world."

This year's Purdyfest seemed cursed.  Poor weather throughout Ontario on Friday made travel treacherous.  Many stalwarts had to cancel for various reasons, including CCLA President Richard Grove.  However, a new generation of participants made it a fine experience with their love of poetry and spirit of community.

Grove asked me to host the CCLA member reading on Sunday in a campground on the Moira River in his place.  The parkland, dubbed Zen River Gardens by Faiers, is a beautiful and inspiring setting.

CCLA members John Hamley, Ann Peacock, Wayne Schlepp, Colin Morton, Mary Lee Bragg, and Jim Larwill read to an enthusiastic crowd.  Larwill had given a lively presentation at the symposium on Saturday, favourably comparing Johnson to Rudyard Kipling.

Then, we had an open stage, in round-robin format, which attracted people from other camping parties, and caused some great connections.

Simon De Abreu, longtime friend of the CCLA, performed a scene from a play written by Melanie Skene and Paula Grove, the latter of whom is Richard's cousin.  Nearby campers Tony and Mr. Lee read work in both Mandarin Chinese and English, ably added onto by Schlepp!  Anthea Reitav presented the poetry of her daughter Deidre.  Kathy Figueroa rounded out the open stage, cut short by thunder and rain, sending those who remained scurrying to the shelter of the Shaman Shack.

This year's Purdy Country Literary Fest did not go exactly as planned, but was ultimately successful.  It will certainly add to the legacy and legend of the festival, as it develops and continues a body of work.

                    
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On 2014-08-04, at 2:36 PM, Gray Charlotte wrote:

This sounds great! What is a festival without thunder and lightning? Congratulations to all involved in celebrating the great Pauline Johnson, Tekahionwake.

Charlotte Gray


www.charlottegray.ca


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Chris's reply:

Thanks, Charlotte   ;  )
Preliminary plans are already afoot for taking Pauline's show on the road - just like Charlotte herself did over a century ago. We did this a few years back, using our PurdyFest Symposium on Ray Souster as a rehearsal for a much larger tribute to Ray in Toronto. Likewise with our very informative & fun celebration of Pauline this year, supporters are proposing a larger gathering to honour Pauline in Toronto. We had several excellent & extremely knowledgeable presenters at our Symposium: John Bacher & Jim Larwill, & Terry Barker's paper was distributed, altho Terry himself was unable to be present to give his dissertation. If we manage to put together a larger tribute to Pauline in TO, we'll likely do it in conjunction with the launch of Terry's new book on Canadian People's Poetry (a la Milton Acorn, Al Purdy, Dorothy Livesay & of course our new star, Pauline).

If such a celebration is supported by enough of our friends, we hope you'll consider attending to make a presentation on your excellent bio, FLINT & FEATHER. Modern literary star power to honour the older!   

peace & poetry power!
Chris (Faiers)

zenriver@sympatico.ca

p.s. a tempting bribe? ...  we could set up a book table for you to sell & sign copies of F&F at the tribute/launch

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Let's keep in touch! A Pauline tribute sounds like a great occasion.

Charlotte Gray

www.charlottegray.ca


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picture by Sharon Henderson