Installation of sign commemorating Battle River Author and Poet
Robert Kroetsch, June 16, 2023, at Heisler Hotel

Robert Kroetsch (June 26, 1927, Heisler, to June 21, 2011, Alberta), always regarded Heisler, Alberta as home. In his worldwide travels, or as recipient of countless awards for his work, he referred to growing up on the Battle River at Heisler. Throughout his life, he returned home as often as he could and captures his love for our province in his book, “Alberta.” He died in Central Alberta and is buried in the Heisler St. Martin’s Cemetery.

Despite earning his living in academic and other settings far from the Alberta prairies, Robert Kroetsch was a leader in place-based writing stemming from the Battle River landscape and rural ways of life including farming, gardening, people and communities. He was a prolific observer, imaginer, interpreter and writer with nine novels, fourteen poetry books and countless other works that have become landmarks in Canadian and western Canada literature. Despite his success as a thinker and writer, he is appreciated as much for his generosity as a friend and colleague who inspired countless others to pursue their love of life and literature – among them, his daughters Laura Kroetsch (Adelaide, Australia) and Megan
Wessel (Tampa, Florida).

When earlier efforts to designate the family farmstead as a heritage site and writing centre did not materialize, ideas for a commemorative sign in his memory — at the historic hotel built by his forefathers — began to take shape.

Please consider this invitation to the installation of this honour for Robert Kroetsch
on June 16, 2023, at the Heisler Hotel. Register with the hotel in advance for lunch at 12 noon by calling 780.889.2220. Lunch will be followed by a short program starting at 1:30 pm. Please offer program suggestions.

The project and this event are sponsored by Battle River Writing Centre, a division of Association for Life-wide Living (ALL) of Alberta.

For more information, please call Lenard Calon at 780.226.6064 or Lori Feldberg at 780.352.3073.