The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) will return to Harbourfront Centre from September 21st to October 1st, 2023. As Canada’s largest and longest-running festival of literature and ideas, TIFA is pleased to announce the impressive schedule for this year’s literary festival. The festival’s theme is “taking flight,” with significant emphasis on welcoming hundreds of authors from diverse communities and cultures in order to provide attendees with 11 days of enriching literary events.
Festival attendees can anticipate new and innovative programming in addition to the comeback of beloved fixtures, including readings, masterclasses, interviews, illuminating discussions, and numerous poetry slams.
“Each year, we eagerly anticipate devising innovative methods to connect audiences with supreme storytelling experiences,” remarked Mr. Roland Gulliver, Director of the Toronto International Festival of Authors. “This year’s festival explores and celebrates the concept of taking flight – the extraordinary flights of imagination that books and stories transport us on, the joy of creativity and amusement, along with the more serious need for individuals to attain safety and freedom of expression.”
Additionally, The Moth Mainstage, presented by the Toronto International Festival of Authors, will be held at Koerner Hall in the Telus Centre for Performance and Learning (273 Bloor Street West) on September 19 at 7:30 p.m. This internationally acclaimed storytelling event features an evening of true tales recounted live without notes. Regarded as the quintessential Moth experience, The Mainstage is a two-part performance with storytellers and a distinguished host sharing genuine, personal stories, crafting a one-of-a-kind experience for the audience. Every year, The Moth brings the powerful art of personal storytelling to millions of attendees through live and virtual presentations, workshops, a podcast, an award-winning radio program, and bestselling literary works.
Some key highlights of this year’s festival include “Bite the Book,” a food-focused event, “Taking Flight – Dreams of Democracy” program putting the spotlight on Arabic writers, including journalist and freedom of speech advocate Kamel Riahi, and a discussion between Carol Off and renowned novelist Michael Crummey as he launches his new book “The Adversary” at a complimentary Literary Kitchen Party.
Several favourites will also return, including “TIFA Kids,” a series of free family-friendly activities aimed at introducing young people to storytelling. Additionally, there will be professional development for aspiring writers, as well as masterclasses led by the Humber School for Writers and the University of Guelph; the 9th annual Humber Liberal Arts Academic Conference at TIFA; and “TIFA Backstage” (with the University of Toronto).
So what to do?
With a broad range of free events to explore, there is much more in store! Do not miss the chance to join the literary community from Toronto and beyond for a festival that will entertain, educate, and inspire. Please visit FestivalOfAuthors.ca for more information on the full program and ticketing for TIFA’s 2023 flagship Festival.
