A large book launch for Joy Kogawa’s rewritten “Emily Kato” and fundraiser event for the Save Kogawa House campaign took place at the Church of Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto on March 9th.
Anton Wagner is the Toronto coordinator and the national chair of the Save Kogawa House committee. He writes:
It’s going to take me a day or so to write up Joy’s reading last night for the www.kogawahouse.com website and to thank all the participants who contributed to its success.
Fortunately we decided to start the evening early with selling books and having Joy sign them. There were long line ups before the official welcome and at the conclusion when Joy again signed books and spoke to the many friends who came to see her. I was also glad to see a good number of Japanese Canadians present and the editor of the Nikkei Voice taking notes for a future article. Many thanks to Tomoko Makabe who handled the book sales and subsequent accounting so efficiently.
Great side benefits were a strong show of support for Joy, the big article in the Globe and Mail, one or two CBC radio spots Joy did.
Regrets from Bill Graham’s and Jack Layton’s office for not being able to attend, a very good turn out that showed the writers groups and donors that there is public support for what we are doing, and building a strong base of support at the Church of the Holy Trinity.
There were five photographers present so we should get some good photos and the whole event was filmed by videographer Edimburgo Cabrera. I’m passing on two dvds of the event to Bill for distribution.
Best wishes, Anton.
Joy Kogawa reads from “Emily Kato” at the Church of the Holy Trinity for the fundraiser book launch of Emily Kato – Photo by Henryk Fibich
Joy Kogawa addresses the large crowd the filled the Church of the Holy Trinity for the fundraiser book launch of Emily Kato – Photo by Henryk Fibich
The event was also attended by Bill Turner O.C., who is executive director of The Land Conservancy, which is spearheading the fundraising campaign for the preservation of Kogawa House.
Anton and friends did a wonderful job and a wonderful thing. It was packed. Every one was very moved. It has opened several new doors. We will have some number together in the next day or so. I just can’t thank the “Toronto crew” enough. It is so good to see these good people working together for a common good.
— Bill Turner, executive director of The Land Conservancy
The original photo used the featured image collage copyright by SimonP on Wikipedia.