Past Events

Raoul de Jong is an award-winning Dutch writer and his work has been translated into German, French, and English. He has written for numerous magazines and newspapers, and his novel Jaguarman was nominated for multiple awards. The author will be in conversation with Canisia Lubrin. Learn more at https://festivalofauthors.ca/event/guelph-masterclass-conversation-raoul-de-jong/

Canisa Lubrin and Hind Shoufani in their latest poetry collections explore the place of art and poetry to offer light and beauty in the darkest times. Canisia Lubrin, already critically acclaimed and internationally celebrated, is one of Canada’s most exciting and provocative poets. Bright Machine is her highly anticipated new collection which, as ever, is stylistically inventive, topically challenging, shining a bright light on humanity. Hind Shoufani is an Oscar-nominated, BAFTA winning Palestinian / American director, writer, editor and poet.

Marie NDiaye is an award-winning author from France. Her psychologically incisive fiction explores identity, family, belonging, and displacement, often blending realism with the uncanny. Widely translated and internationally celebrated, Marie Ndiaye’s most recent English publication, The Witch, translated by Jordan Stump, was shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize. The author will be in conversation with Canisia Lubrin.

Are you interested in studying abroad? Would you like to explore the politics, economy, society, history, identity, and culture of two fascinating European cities while earning credits toward your degree?  Drs. Margot Irvine and Sandra Parmegiani will be teaching the France-Italy field school in Paris and Florence in May-June 2027. The course will focus on literary, cinematic, and artistic representations of the two cities.

Thesis Title: "Solipsism-Shared-By-Many in Merleau-Ponty" ALL ARE WELCOME

On Tuesday, October 20, the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) will host a screening of the documentary Mantènnere: Holding the Sacred Sound (2025). The event begins at 7:45pm and a Q&A with the director will follow.

Thursday, October 15, 3:30 - 5:00 pm EST Doug McCalla, History, University of Guelph "Not a Simpler Time: Rural Families and The Making of a Canadian Economy, 1700-1870" Hybrid presentation -- please sign up via Eventbrite at the Rural History Roundtable webpage All Welcome!!

Grad School Information Night is on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in MCKN 132. Pizza and pop will be served!  Two of our fine current crop of MA students will be on hand with Dr. Alan McDougall to discuss all aspects of the grad school experience, from application to thesis/MRP defence.

Announcing Auditions - October 6th and 7th!   Come one, come all, to auditions for MacSummer, the first ever evening of Shakespeare from ✨MIDSUMMER PRODUCTIONS! ✨ Midsummer Productions is a CSA-accredited club for lovers of Shakespeare’s plays, poetry, and language. Members explore timeless themes through readings, discussions, performances, and creative activities while connecting with others who enjoy classic literature and theatre.

Join Western University team of Dr. Cody Groat, from the History and Indigenous Studies program, and History MA graduate, Rebecca Small for their talk, "Understanding Poverty and Community at the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery Potter's Field." Dr. Groat graduated with his PhD from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2023.