Joy Kogawa in Toronto March 9th, Church of Holy Trinity


Joy Kogawa addresses the large crowd the filled the Church of the Holy Trinity for the fundraiser book launch of Emily Kato - photo Henryk Fibich

A large book launch for Joy Kogawa's rewritten "Emily Kato" and fundraiser event for the Save Kogawa House campaign too place at the Church of Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto on March 9th.

Anton Wagner is the Toronto coordinator and the national chair of the Save Kogawa House committee.  There were several speakers and lots of pictures taken.  And we will do our best to post them.


Joy Kogawa reads from "Emily Kato" at the Church of the Holy Trinity for the fundraiser book launch of Emily Kato - photo Henryk Fibich

Anton writes:

It's going to take me a day or so to write up Joy's reading last night  for the www.kogawa.house.com website and to thank all the participants who contributed to its success.

Fortunately we decided to start the evening early with selling books  and having Joy sign them. There were long line ups before the official welcome and  at the conclusion when Joy again signed books and spoke to the many
friends who came to see her. I was also glad to see a good number of Japanese
Canadians present and the editor of the Nikkei Voice taking notes for a future
article.  Many thanks to Tomoko Makabe  who handled the book sales and subsequent accounting so efficiently.

Great side benefits were a strong show of support for Joy, the big article in the Globe and Mail, one or two CBC radio spots Joy did.

Regrets from Bill Graham's and Jack Layton's office for not being able to attend, a very good turn out that showed the writers groups and donors that there is public support for what we are doing, and building a strong base of support at the Church of the Holy Trinity.

There were five photographers present so we should get some good photos and the whole event was filmed by videographer Edimburgo Cabrera. I'm passing on two dvds of the event to Bill for distribution.
Best wishes, Anton.

The event was also attended by Bill Turner O.C., who is executive director of The Land Conservancy, which is spearheading the fundraising campaign for the preservation of  Kogawa House.

Anton and friends did a wonderful job and a wonderful thing.  It was packed.  Every one was very moved.   It has opened several new doors.    We will have some number together in the next day or so.
I just can't thank the "Toronto" crew enough.  It is so good to see these good people working together for a common good.
- Bill Turner, executive director The Land Conservancy