What does it take to become a great Canadian poet? Al Purdy's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Born in 1918, Purdy was a high-school dropout who worked in mattress factories and hopped freight trains during the Great Depression. Despite struggling with poverty and failure, he continued to write, eventually finding his voice in a rustic cabin on Roblin Lake. The cabin became a hub for Canadian literary pioneers, including Margaret Laurence, Dennis Lee, Margaret Atwood, and Michael Ondaatje. After Purdy's death, artists and patrons rallied to restore the cabin as a writers' retreat, sparking a Purdy revival and an album of original songs inspired by his life and work.
Al Purdy Was Here
A poignant celebration of a celebrated poet's life and work unfolds in a serene cabin, where a collective of Canadian musicians and artists come together to pay homage through music and art.
