In this year’s CBC Massey Lectures, renowned author Lawrence Hill (The Book of Negroes) offers a provocative examination of the scientific and social history of blood, and on the ways that it unites and divides us today. Blood: the Stuff of Life is a fascinating journey through the story of blood - how it shapes the way we think about who we are, what happens when we meddle with it, why notions about the meaning of blood have such hold over us, and how who we are shapes how we think about the lifeblood that courses through us.

Beginning October 15th in Montreal, Hill will present individual lectures in five cities across Canada around the theme of Blood: the Stuff of Life. The lectures will also travel to Halifax, Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto. Blood: The Stuff of Life will air on CBC Radio One’s IDEAS from November 11-15, 2013 at 9 pm (9:30 NT).

Blood: The Stuff of Life is Lawrence Hill’s ninth book and will be published by House of Anansi Press, available in September 2013. His earlier works include the novels Some Great Thing and Any Known Blood, and the memoir Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On Being Black and White in Canada. His novel, The Book of Negroes, won numerous awards including the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. It was published around the world and became a number one national bestseller in Canada.

D. B. Clarke Theatre—Concordia University Hall Building

Phone: 1-855-790-1245

For tickets please click here.

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium—Dalhousie Arts Centre

Phone: (902) 494-3820

For tickets please clickhere.

The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

Phone: 1-855-985-2787

For tickets please clickhere.

The Myer Horowitz Theatre—University of Alberta

Phone: 1-888-732-1682

For tickets please clickhere.

Koerner Hall

Phone 416-408-0208

For tickets please clickhere.

For more information on the CBC Massey Lectures series, please visit cbc.ca/masseys.

The CBC Massey Lectures is a partnership between CBC, House of Anansi Press and Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The CBC Massey Lectures are recorded in front of an audience each fall in five cities across Canada and broadcast on IDEAS, CBC Radio One’s program of contemporary thought. The show’s content is wide-ranging and explores how ideas shape every aspect of our lives. The lectures are also available for podcast download through iTunes. Since its creation in 1961 by the CBC, the Massey Lectures, named in honour of the late Governor General of Canada, have established their place as a Canadian institution and become an annual highlight of our cultural life. The lectures provide a forum on radio where major contemporary thinkers can address the important issues of our time.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

Dayna Shiskos, publicist, CBC

O: (416) 205-7973