Spur Winnipeg 2017 Program: Risk

Greetings from the Festival Director
Last summer, as we were considering
our 2017 festival theme, we were struck
by the juxtaposition of Canada’s sunny
sesquicentennial plans and the darkening
clouds of ‘populist’ intolerance gathering in
the US and around the globe. The 75 Spur
events we produced last year, under the “Our
New Tribalism” theme, seemed suddenly more
prescient, as partisanship grew rapidly and communities splintered in the US public
space.
This year, accordingly, we’ve decided to tackle these issues from another, urgent angle:
RISK. Namely, in light of this nation building anniversary, what are the real and
perceived threats facing a better Canada and a better world? And what are we willing
to risk to build a more just and equitable society?
Across topics such as the environment, the economy, geopolitics, war, race, health and
the role of journalism and art, we ask, are the things we typically fear really the biggest
risks for us as individuals and societies? Why do we perceive some issues, challenges or
people as risky – and not others?
I’m glad you’ve joined us. We can all commit to acts large and small that move us in the
right direction. Our hope is that through the amazing array of writers, thinkers,
scientists, community leaders, journalists and others from Canada and the US taking
part in Spur, you will both find inspiration and an opportunity to contribute.
Your voice is important as anyone else’s at Spur, so I hope you will attend, ask questions
and provide commentary. Talk to us, and to each other. And please, fill in the feedback
forms, as they are essential to our designing programming that truly has impact.
With thanks for being part of Spur.
HELEN WALSH
Festival Director
4
4
4