YVR writers festival celebrates 25 years

The Vancouver Writers Festival (previously named the Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival) celebrates its 25th year with a new name and fresh look. The festival is one of North America’s top literary events and attracts some of the world’s best writers, including this year’s headliners Margaret Atwood, Alistair MacLeod and Martin Amis. Taking place on Granville Island, Oct. 16-21, the festival features a variety of conversations, panel discussions, on-stage interviews and musical collaborations. Whether attending an author reading, poetry bash or passionate debate between writers, visitors can count on two things — stimulation and inspiration. This year’s festival will finish with a provocative discussion between Australia’s climate commissioner Tim Flannery and Vancouver’s own David Suzuki about the state and fate of the planet. For ticket information, call 604-629-8849.