The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story has come to a close, following revelations last summer that the event's namesake ignored the sexual abuse of her daughter by her husband.
The festival's committee voted unanimously to disband back in January.
A post released on the festival's website on Thursday thanked the community, volunteers, and funders for their support for over 20 years. It also acknowledged the authors who continued to bring exceptional programming to the event.
When Andrea Robin Skinner's essay detailing her sexual abuse at the hands of Gerald Fremlin was first published in the Toronto Star in July 2024, the festival issued a statement unequivocally supporting Skinner.
"We are shocked and saddened by what has come to light about the private family life of Alice Munro," read the statement. "The Festival needs to consider the impact this has on its future programming."
As a result, the festival will no longer continue. However, the Short Story Contest will continue through the Huron County Library. The festival website will also continue to host the archive of authors and short stories for "an undetermined amount of time."
The remaining funds for the festival will be donated to community charities supporting women and youth.