CBC Radio Arts Report by Paul Grant – features saving Kogawa House Tuesday 4-6pm

CBC
Radio's Paul Grant interviewed me yesterday for CBC Radio's “On the
Coast” with host  Priya Ramu for Tuesday – 4 to 6pm

It was a very good short interview – hits all the main points.
Paul did ask about:

– The challenges raising $750,000 in 120 days.
I said we are approaching corporations, governments and philanthropists
– but the overwhelming support from the arts and writers community all
say “Save the House”!

– What do the neighbours think
– I told them it inspired one neighbor Ann-Marie to help save
the house.  Personally, I think it would be great to live next to
an important literary landmark – since we really don't have any in
Vancouver.

– Why is the house so important?
It plays central role in book and opera, it is curriculum all across
Canada, it has been turned into opera, no other Canadian literary
landmarks in Vancouver other than Pauline Johnson.


– What are plans for the house?,
– Tto become a writers centre, for writers across Canada, and writers
of conscience. To experience multicultural Vancouver, with the ironic
twist that the house they are staying in had been taken away from our
celebrated writer when she was six years old, and sent to an internment
camp.

– What are plans for afterwards, ongoing maintenance, upkeep etc.
-I said we will be building in programs, that would access funds, and other grant programs that will cover everything.

Ooops – forgot to say there will be a presentation of Naomi's Opera on Nov 12 at the library… My next press release.