A Winteriade is a seasonal celebration of poetry, music, and fellowship, modelled after the historic Schubertiades of the 1820s. These gatherings, once centred around the works of Austrian composer Franz Schubert, brought together friends and admirers in private homes to enjoy music, poetry, and artistic conversation. The Winteriade carries forward that spirit of intimacy and artistry, reimagining it for the modern day while embracing the quiet beauty and reflective atmosphere of the winter season.

 

The origins of the Schubertiade trace back to Vienna, where small groups would gather to experience the artistry of a single voice or a shared performance in close quarters. These were evenings of refinement and connection, where the boundary between performer and audience was softened, and where art became a living conversation. The Winteriade honours this tradition, offering an environment where the works of poet Emily Isaacson (also called Winter, or W.E. Isaacson) can be heard, appreciated, and discussed in warm company with a warm cup of coffee or spiced tea in hand.

 

In keeping with its inspiration, the Winteriade is designed as an intimate event, set within a salon, coffee shop, or similarly inviting venue. Guests are welcomed into a space where readings of winter-themed poetry mingle with music and gentle conversation. The atmosphere encourages a closeness not only between the artist and audience but also among attendees, fostering a sense of community during the colder, contemplative months.

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The performances at a Winteriade draw from a rich selection of Emily Isaacson’s work, including new poems and chosen favourites from her published collections. Each piece is presented with the intention of capturing the nuances of her stylistic legacy—her long history in the Fraser Valley of publishing over 14 poetry collections, their unique brilliance, and quiet capacity for bringing out the artist and art lover in everyone. Musical interludes and collaborative poetry discussions may be included, enhancing the sensory experience and echoing the diversity once found in Schubertiades, where song, spoken word, and even discussion could share the same stage.

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For Winter 2025, the Winteriade will be held in a location in the Fraser Valley: in December, by-invitation-only. But you can contact us below and ask for an invite from the poet. Locals, readers, and lovers of the arts are invited to take part in these gatherings, not simply as spectators but as participants in a tradition of shared culture. By reviving the salon-style artistry of the past and weaving it with the voices of the present, the Winteriade is a season-focused event—an oasis of light, warmth, and inspiration amid the frost of winter.