The opening night on Saturday, February 21, 7:30 pm will feature acclaimed author John Irving, who will talk about his novel Queen Esther, a powerful exploration of antisemitism, identity, and the enduring impact of history (more information and tickets).

As always, the festival’s line‑up is carefully curated and impressively diverse. From contemporary fiction to memoirs and historical non‑fiction, the programme offers many opportunities for reflection and dialogue. We highly recommend browsing the full festival guide here.

Events with a Germany / German‑History Connection

Janet Horvath – The Cello Still Sings
A deeply personal memoir spanning three generations, reflecting on Holocaust survival, post‑war trauma, and the power of music as remembrance and resilience.
Thursday, February 26, 6:00pm
More information & tickets

Douglas Century – Crash of the Heavens
The remarkable story of Hannah Senesh, who joined a WWII mission into Nazi‑occupied Europe in an attempt to rescue Jews persecuted under German rule.
Sunday Feb 22, 5:00pm FREE,
In partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
More information & tickets

Roger Frie – Edge of Catastrophe: Erich Fromm, Fascism, and the Holocaust
A special event honouring International Holocaust Remembrance Day, where historian and philosopher Roger Frie discusses his book about Erich Fromm’s life and work and the unpublished Holocaust correspondence of his German‑Jewish family, illuminating how Nazi racial terror shaped both personal fate and broader intellectual history.
Monday, Jan 27, 7:00pm FREE, pre‑festival event, Pre-register
In partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre