Some government and non government agencies which are sponsoring the Austin International Poetry Festival include the City of Austin, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Writers' League of Texas. The festival is held across the city of Austin in galleries, book stores, coffee houses and meeting halls. The central meeting place for poets will be suite 119 at Austin Hotel, 1220 South Congress Avenue. The main purpose of the festival is "to bring together poets from diverse locals, cultures, ages, backgrounds, styles and stature to transcend boundaries and to foster tolerance, friendship and understanding through poetry," says prominent poet and Venue Coordinator Stazja McFadyen. Dr. Stephen Gill was in Texas in 1990 on a literary tour that was sponsored by the Canada Council and Poetry in the Arts Inc. (Texas), represented by General Edmund and Peggy Zuleika, both renowned writers. He was surprised to notice literary activities mushrooming in Texas. He was interviewed on radio stations, autographed his books, cut ribbons, gave readings and talks at gatherings of poets, universities, colleges, the offices of book publishers, and presided a literary conference. " These and other experiences are still fresh in the caves of my memory, " he says. Stephen Gill expects his visit in April 2002 to be more exciting and enriching. He plans to write a travelogue about this second literary visit after twelve years. He will carry special greetings for the organizers and poets from Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien, and the Mayor of Cornwall Mr. Brian Sylvester. Stephen Gill has authored more than twenty books, and his poetry and prose have appeared in more than three hundred publications. He has received honors from national and international organizations including two honourary doctorates. Peace and social concerns are the main areas of his interest as a writer and speaker. For more information contact Stazja McFadyen, Venue Coordinator: Stazja@aol.com; Website: www.aipf.org