The Graeme Gibson Talk is an annual conversation between writers with expert knowledge of an urgent political, social, cultural or economic issue. The event was established in 2021 to honour the Canadian author and writers’ advocate, Graeme Gibson (1934–2019).
Gibson was a devoted birder, environmentalist and human rights advocate who mentored a host of young writers and spent decades defending creative and political freedoms around the world.
He co-founded PEN Canada and served as its president from 1987-1989. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and the Writers’ Trust.
Gibson’s dedication to literature and the environment is evident in his later works, such as The Bedside Book of Birds (2005) and The Bedside Book of Beasts (2009), and in his longstanding support of organizations such as the Pelee Island Bird Observatory, which he co-founded with Margaret Atwood, and conservation groups such as the World Wildlife Fund Canada.
2024 Graeme Gibson Talk
Burning Questions: Confronting the Challenges of our Global Climate Crisis
Bestselling non-fiction writer John Vaillant (Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast) joins Catherine Abreu, one of Canada’s most influential thinkers on global climate policy, to discuss the burning questions and challenges facing our fast-warming world. Their conversation will be introduced by Margaret Atwood and moderated by Nahlah Ayed, the host of CBC IDEAS.
This event is produced in partnership with CBC IDEAS and the Toronto International Festival of Authors. Sponsored by Penguin Random House Canada. More information, passes and tickets here.
Past Events
Hope in Strange Paradises: Dystopias and their Bright Spots
2021 | Inaugural Graeme Gibson Talk
Award-winning authors Omar El Akkad and Margaret Atwood discussed the moral force of literature in a conversation moderated by CBC’s Nahlah Ayed. It was recorded for CBC IDEAS from the stage of the Toronto International Festival of Authors.
Revisit their conversation with CBC Ideas.
Disinformation, Dictators & Democracy: Maria Ressa & Ronald Deibert
2022 | 2nd annual Graeme Gibson Talk
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and Citizen Lab founder Ron Deibert discussed the link between disinformation and the decay of our democracies. Margaret Atwood introduced the speakers, with Nahlah Ayed moderating the conversation.
Listen back on this conversation with CBC Ideas: podcast episode.
Notes On An Invasion: Masha Gessen and Andrey Kurkov
2023 | 3rd annual Graeme Gibson Talk
Highly-acclaimed writers, Andrey Kurkov (journalist, author; president, PEN Ukraine) and Masha Gessen (author) shared urgent knowledge of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the geopolitical forces at work, as well as the political figures behind those forces. Their conversation was introduced by Margaret Atwood and moderated by CBC’s Nahlah Ayed.
Listen back on this conversation with CBC Ideas: podcast episode.
