2013-01-31
Douglas Institute and the Blue Metropolis Foundation join forces to offer those who love literature an entirely new programme of literary events and activities on the theme of mental health, both online and during the 2013 Festival.
A digital platform to combat stigma
Blue Metropolis continues to develop its online activities aimed at promoting, reading, writing and reducing social exclusion and prejudice.
The new “Mental Health and Literature” platform allows Internet users to discover, or rediscover, authors such as Virginia Woolf, Nelly Arcan, Delphine de Vigan, and David Homel, all of whom have lived with mental health problems or who have written about them. It also invites Internet users to write their own work, following specific guidelines for creative writing.
In delving into the universe of these authors and in drawing from their experiences or those of people close to them, Internet users will be able to take advantage of the power of words to write work that moves, inspires and liberates, and that helps to combat the stigma associated with mental health problems. Written works may be submitted and shared on the new platform, which is offered in English and French.
The platform was produced by the Blue Metropolis team under the direction of Annie Heminway, long-time contributor to the Foundation, author of twenty books and professor of creative writing, literature and translation at New York University.
“Literature and Mental Health” track at Blue Metropolis Festival, from April 22 to 28, 2013
The 2013 edition marks the 15th anniversary of Blue Metropolis Festival. On this occasion, a track that will strengthen the ties between literature and mental health will give the public the opportunity to rediscover great writers who have experienced mental health problems and the books that describe their journey. A perfect opportunity to explore new territory and to cross over from one literary genre to another!
A detailed programme for the 2013 Festival will be released on March 20. In the meantime, we are pleased to announce that the programme will include author meet-and-greets, writing workshops on “folie littéraire “ and a number of entirely new events, such as Frames of Mind, an event produced by the Douglas Institute, as well as a talk to be given at the Institute by Camillo Zacchia and other guest speakers.
You can also look at the photo album on Flickr
Information
Alexandra Kelso Gravel
Communications and public affairs
Tel.: 514-761-6131, ext. 2794
Cell.: 438-820-1396
alexandra_dot_kelso-gravel_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca
