our MISSION:

To foster the joy of the written word and inspire creativity by bringing together readers and writers from all backgrounds in an annual, inclusive and free literary arts festival, connecting local communities and celebrating literary arts through the collective experience. We aspire to embrace innovation, encourage discourse and provide a safe and accessible experience for all members of our richly diverse communities.

our values:

inclusivity / connection / collaboration / creativity / integrity

At our core, these are the principles that shape our programming and guide our interactions with each other and everyone involved in the inception, production and delivery of the Festival.

Our History

The Vancouver Book and Magazine Fair Society was incorporated in 1995 and produced the first “Word On The Street Vancouver” festival that year. Held at the then newly built Vancouver Public Library, it featured 60 exhibitors and attracted 18,000 festival-goers.

Since that inaugural Festival, the Society has maintained consistent growth year after year, attracting increasing numbers of visitors from across British Columbia and Canada, making it a primary event in Western Canada’s literacy and literary community.

2011: The Festival was expanded to cover a three-day period (Friday-Sunday), with events at Banyen Books & Sound, the Historic Joy Kogawa House and Carnegie Centre, along with festivities at Library Square and the CBC Plaza stage.

2013: The Vancouver Book & Magazine Fair Society rebranded as Word Vancouver and launched a new logo and visual design, revitalizing the Festival which now spans five days at numerous venues around Vancouver.

2019: Word Vancouver proudly celebrated its 25th Anniversary and the introduction of its first Indigenous Stage curated by local talent Russell Wallace.