2011 Freedom to Read Week
Calgary Calendar of Events

The Mayor has declared Feb. 20--26 to be Freedom to Read Week.

• Monday, February 14 at 9:30 am
  
  Calgary Freedom to Read Week Committee Presents the Official Book for 2011 to City Council at Council Chamber, 800 Macleod Trail SE
  
  Calgary Freedom to Read Week Committee member Allison Inglis (Calgary Public Library) will present The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, to City Council.
  
  
• Tuesday, February 22, 7:00-10:00 pm
  
  The Writers Guild of Alberta and Wordfest Present Judge John Reilly, author of Bad Medicine at Auburn Saloon, 163 9 Avenue S.E., Calgary
  
  CBC Radio's Russell Bowers will host an insightful interview with Judge John Reilly, author of Bad Medicine: A Judge's Struggle for Justice in a First Nations Community. Judge Reilly has been called both a racist and a hero to the Stoney Reserve. In 2010, the Stoney Nakoda Nation requested a delay in the distribution of the book to avoid influence on band elections. No charge, but please RSVP to WGA at swarwick(at)writersguild.ab.ca.
  
  
• Thursday, February 24, 7:00 pm
  Calgary Freedom to Read Week Committee
  Celebration of Freedom to Read Week 2011
  Sir Winston Churchill High School Theatre, 5220 Northland Dr. NW
  
  The annual celebration of Freedom to Read Week will take place at Sir Winston Churchill High School this year. Admission is free.
  
  Jilliane Yawney of the Calgary Public Library will introduce the winners of the CPL contest for junior high school students. The theme this year: Who chooses what you read? This year's contest was not limited to essays: students were encouraged to submit essays, poems, stories, graphics, or videos.
  
  The 2011 Calgary Freedom of Expression Award will be presented to Mayor Naheed Nenshi for his contributions as a writer, educator, candidate and elected official to freedom of expression. The Award will be presented by Fast Forward (FFWD), the sponsor of the Award. Mayor Nenshi will comment on his view of freedom of expression.



• All week long
  
  Look for displays on freedom to read at Calgary's libraries and bookstores.

National website: www.freedomtoread.ca
Local website: http://writtenword.org/calgary_freedom/

The Calgary Freedom of Expression Award was instituted by Sandpiper Books following an attempt in the Alberta Legislature to ban John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. The award is now sponsored by Fast Forward (FFWD). Past winners have included the late educator Lorne McRae, author and journalist Ken McGoogan, former Producing Director of Alberta Theatre Projects Michael Dobbin, former owner of Sandpiper Books and founder of the award Kerry Longpré, puppeteer Ronnie Burkett, Calgary Alderman Suzanne Higgins, former Calgary Member of the Legislative Assembly Gary Dickson, writers Bob Stallworthy and Tony King, Group of Six Billion (G6B) organizer Lynn Foster and Pages on Kensington owner, the late Catherine McKay.

Look for displays in your local branch of the Calgary Public Library.