Art Matters Forum on the Occasion of the Presentation
of the Governor General’s Literary Awards

Rideau Hall, Thursday, December 13, 2007

The presentation of the Governor General’s awards is an opportunity to celebrate the talent of Canadian artists. For the past year, the Governor General and I, along with the team at Rideau Hall, have been taking advantage of these ceremonies to engage in a dialogue on the role and social function of creation and of those who create in the heart of the community. These Art Matters forums bring together cultural players acting at various levels; are forums for reflection that help us to observe and question art and culture so that together we can take stock of the situation. To date, 20 Art Matters meetings have been held throughout Canada during our official visits to the provinces and territories, as well as abroad. Our first international meeting took place in Brazil during last summer’s State visit to that country, and the topic was art and new technologies. Art Matters also has a virtual community centred around Conversations, our brand-new e-newsletter, which is a way for us to stay connected and to discuss the projects that are important to us. Through these activities, Art Matters helps us to take a step back and to define the parameters through which our culture is continually being shaped.

In Canadian society, dialogue between cultures is more crucial than ever, it plays a vital and dynamic role in the relationships between individuals and the community, whether it be a neighbourhood or society in general. Culture is essential to socialization, which depends on a continual dialogue between those who create, decision makers, researchers, and all Canadians. It is an excellent way to combat the misunderstandings and divisions that are the breeding ground for fundamentalism. We must place culture at the forefront and develop a way to live together. That is what we did one year ago around this table, when we discussed literature and freedom of expression. Incidentally, I would like to take this opportunity to say hello to those of you who were here with us at last year’s meeting.

Today we are focussing on the writer’s spheres, the book, the bookstore and the Canadian reader, and also the spheres of the cultural columnist, the teacher, the patron and the decision maker. To bring all these spheres together, we will take three different approaches; we will look at the book from three perspectives: commitment, commerce and communication. Three areas that ensure the vitality and diversity of Canadian literature.

How have writers shown their commitment to Canadian literature over the years? Who are its legendary figures?

Are contemporary writers involved in the social and political sphere the way Voltaire, Jonathan Swift, Jean-Paul Sartre, Gaston Miron and Mordecai Richler were? What form does literary involvement take today?

What are the challenges faced by the architects of the book industry, from the author all the way down to the reader?

These are some of the questions that came to me as we were preparing for our discussion.

The objective is not to find answers, but rather to share and confront our ideas with a view to enriching our perspective on the place of literature in our society.

The Governor General and I are anxious to hear what you have to say. The Art Matters team will prepare a report summarizing the debates, as well as the questions and any conclusions we come up with. This report will be posted online on our Citizen Voices Web site, where Internet users can also share their reactions. A final summary will be submitted to the Governor General who, as part of her duties, is responsible for and has the authority to counsel and advise the Prime Minister and all members of government on the issues that concern Canadians. Art Matters is an opportunity for those who keep culture alive on a daily basis to share their experiences and concerns, and to have their opinions heard.