Literary Marathon to Raise Funds for HIV/AIDS Housing

Takes place September 25 at Canadian Mennonite University

How long can you listen to a book reading? Thirty minutes? Forty-five? An hour?

What about all night?

Maybe you could go that long if you knew it was for a good cause. In this case, it’s the CMU Literary Marathon to raise funds for the House of Hesed, Manitoba’s only transitional housing for people with HIV/AIDS.

“I don’t think we’ll go all night, but I hope we can provide enough good readings for a couple of hours,” says CMU English professor Sue Sorensen, who is organizing the event.

The marathon is part of Thin Air, the Winnipeg International Writers Festival. It takes place Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at CMU’s Great Hall. It will feature a reading by Lois Braun, author of The Penance Drummer and Other Stories, and include readings by students, staff, faculty, and special guests as they read favourite literary excerpts (or their own work) for ten minutes each.

Admission to the come and go event is by donation. Coffee and tea will be available for purchase.

About Lois Braun: Lois was born on a grain farm in southern Manitoba and studied at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. She has been nominated for numerous literary prizes, including the Governor General's Award (for A Stone Watermelon), the Journey Prize, and the Manitoba Book of the Year Award. Her short story collections include The Pumpkin-Eaters and Montreal Cats. Her unsentimental, passionate stories of modern rural life have been praised for their finely-tuned sense of irony and wry humour. Her latest book is The Penance Drummer and Other Stories, published by Turnstone Press. She lives in Altona, Manitoba.

About the House of Hesed: The House of Hesed is Manitoba’s only transitional home for those living with HIV/AIDS. It has been home to over 50 people since it was established in 1998. It takes its name from an Old Testament word that is translated as unconditional love and mercy. The goal of the House of Hesed is to be a home where individuals have the opportunity to experience that kind of love, no matter where they have come from or where they feel they are going. The House of Hesed relies on private donations and grants for its services.

For more information about the Literary Marathon, contact Sue Sorensen at CMU at 487-3300.

Posted September 21, 2007