Freedom to Read Week: Canadians Celebrate Their Freedom to Read!
Toronto, ON – Freedom to Read Week will highlight freedom of expression by hosting events across Canada. Canadians are celebrating their freedom to read across the country, from February 20-26, 2005, with displays, debates, contests and forums, many of which are free and open to the public. For more information on what’s happening in your city, check out www.freedomtoread.ca.
Freedom to Read Week reminds all Canadians never to take their intellectual freedom for granted. “Open societies remain open when citizens dare to ask questions – out loud,” said Irshad Manji, author of the controversial The Trouble with Islam. “As a Muslim woman, I know how precious the gift of free expression can be. I insist on appreciating it.”
For a second year, Freedom to Read Week – in association with the innovative book-sharing program BookCrossing.com – is challenging Canadians to “read and release” books that have been banned or challenged in Canada. Instructions on how to participate – by registering and dropping a book in a public spot for someone else to discover – can be found at www.freedomtoread.ca.
New this year is a photography contest to encourage people to capture images of Freedom to Read Week events, posters, and challenged books. Contest details, including rules and prize specifics, can also be found at www.freedomtoread.ca.
Complete Freedom to Read Week details can be found online at www.freedomtoread.ca. The Freedom of Expression Committee publishes a Freedom to Read poster and kit. The kit is an annual review of censorship and free expression issues with articles by Canadian writers and tips for getting involved in Freedom to Read Week.
About Freedom to Read Week
The BPC’s Freedom of Expression Committee was established in 1978 in response to the attempted censorship of books by Margaret Laurence, John Steinbeck and J.D. Salinger. Since 1984, the Committee has organized Freedom to Read Week, a cross-country celebration of intellectual freedom. For a complete list of sponsors please visit www.freedomtoread.ca.
For more information, contact:
Anne McClelland
Executive Director
Book and Periodical Council
Suite 107 192 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C2
416-975-9366
publicity@freedomtoread.ca
