New Brunswick Joins the Canadian Literary Trail
Project Bookmark Canada’s 30th Bookmark Celebrates The Honourable Senator David Adams Richards, CM, ONB, in the City of Miramichi
Toronto, ON / Miramichi, NB - Project Bookmark Canada will unveil its 30th Bookmark on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ADT at a ceremony in the City of Miramichi — a milestone that extends the literary trail’s presence across all ten provinces. The bilingual plaques recognize Senator David Adams Richards and his acclaimed novel The Friends of Meager Fortune.
The unveiling marks a triple celebration: the 30th Bookmark on the literary trail, the first in New Brunswick, and the 30th anniversary of the City of Miramichi — all honoured in the very setting that inspired Richards’ storytelling.
“We are thrilled to mark our 30th Bookmark — and the Can Lit Trail’s presence in all ten provinces — with a tribute to Senator David Adams Richards. This installation honours not only a remarkable writer, but also the people and place that shaped his voice.”
— Hughena Matheson, President, Board of Directors, Project Bookmark Canada
The 500 word excerpt appears in both English and French, recognizing the Province’s cultural heritage and reinforcing Project Bookmark Canada’s commitment to linguistic and regional diversity. Winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book, The Friends of Meager Fortune, captures the spirit of life in rural New Brunswick and the endurance of its people.
Born in Newcastle, NB, in 1950, David Adams Richards has received many of Canada’s top literary honours, including the Governor General’s Award, the Giller Prize, and the Canadian Authors Association Award. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 2017 and this year became the inaugural recipient of the New Brunswick Legacy Award from the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick.
Senator David Adams Richards has long been one of Miramichi’s most powerful voices — on the page and in public life. Now, his words are part of the national literary trail that leads right back to our city. We’re proud to unveil this Bookmark as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations — and to share Miramichi’s stories with all of Canada.” — Mayor Adam Lordon, City of Miramichi
I wrote what I knew — the lives of people and places that shaped me. I’m honoured to be included on the Bookmark trail, and proud that this is the first one in New Brunswick.” — Senator David Adams Richards
This Bookmark was nominated by Douglas Gibson, Richards’ longtime editor and former president of McClelland & Stewart.
The installation was made possible through the support of the City of Miramichi.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Friday, July 18, 2025 Time: 1:00 p.m. ADT
Location: Memorial Field (located at the entrance to the property of the former Harkins Middle School, off Newcastle Boulevard in the City of Miramichi.)
Details: Public welcome — remarks, readings, and unveiling ceremony
ABOUT PROJECT BOOKMARK CANADA
Founded by author Miranda Hill in 2007, Project Bookmark Canada is a national non-profit that places excerpts from Canadian stories and poems on plaques (Bookmarks)s in the exact locations where the narratives are set.
From Woody Point, Newfoundland, to Vancouver, British Columbia, the trail invites readers to see the country — and themselves — through the eyes of its writers. This is the only site-specific literary trail of its kind in the world. Visit www.projectbookmarkcanada.ca to explore the trail, donate, or get involved.
Bookmarks have honoured authors such as Michael Ondaatje, Anne Michaels, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lawrence Hill, Wayson Choy, Carol Shields, and now Senator David Adams Richards, with installations in multiple languages — including French, Mandarin, and Michif.
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Media Contacts:
Hughena Matheson, President, Project Bookmark Canada: 905-634-7516
president@projectbookmarkcanada.ca
Gail Harding, Communications Officer, City of Miramichi: 506-623-2075
David Adams Richards, Senator: 613-716-6163
davidadamsrichards@gmail.com