2025 Festival: October 20–26
Books & Ideas runs until June!

Wali Shah

(Ontario)

Growing up, WALI SHAH faced pressure from his Pakistani-immigrant parents to choose a profession that would justify their sacrifices. He surprised them by becoming a poet and public speaker, inspiring youth at hundreds of schools with his powerful verse, delivering TED talks and serving as a poet laureate for the city of Mississauga.

2024 Reading List: