Margaret Laurence: person of national historic significance

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Published on Wednesday, July 18, 2018

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Neepawa Banner & Press

National recognition of a Neepawa-born author will kick start the first-ever Manawaka Festival in August.

The Government of Canada has designated Margaret Laurence as a Person of National Historic Significance. A special ceremony and plaque unveiling is scheduled for Friday, August 10 at 1 p.m. at Margaret Laurence Home.

With the assistance of Parks Canada, the Margaret Laurence Home committee has organized a program which includes greetings from government and other officials, a reading from one of Laurence’s works, reminiscences and greetings from her son David Laurence of Ontario, who is unable to attend. Lemonade and cake will follow the official program.

The ceremony will be just the start of hours of entertainment and story-telling for children and adults alike.

“We’re hoping that this will be the beginning of an annual event called Manawaka Festival: A Celebration of Stories in Neepawa, MB”, committee chair Blair Chapman said.

The committee would like to see a weekend-long event in the future.

Although not all details have been confirmed, plans for the afternoon include readings by several rural Manitoba authors and a Human or Living Library event at the Margaret Laurence Home, as well as a children’s tent offering special activities for that age group.

Local musical entertainment will be on offer over supper hour at the Farmery.

The evening schedule includes the screening of either a movie based on a Margaret Laurence novel or another made-in-Canada movie, depending on film availability.

The event will conclude with Ghost Stories at Park Lake, scary stories told while roasting marshmallows at a bonfire.

Watch for further details.