Two Polish friends visited a small town in Nova Scotia to attend a charity event featuring renowned author Rachel Reid. Zofia Chrapkiewicz, a first-time visitor to Canada, was inspired to make the trip by the popular book series “Game Changers.” The series, which depicts romances between professional male hockey players, gained increased popularity after the successful TV adaptation of the second book, “Heated Rivalry.”
For Chrapkiewicz, these books hold significant personal meaning beyond just romance novels. She expressed that “Heated Rivalry” played a crucial role in her queer journey and self-discovery, expressing a hope to experience a similar love story to that of characters Shane and Ilya with her Canadian partner.
The fundraiser, held by the Annapolis Valley Regional Library at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., featured a silent auction and a Q&A session with the author, Rachel Reid. The event successfully raised over $70,000, providing essential support to sustain library operations until the next fiscal year.
Accompanied by her friend Zuzana Sokolova, Chrapkiewicz highlighted the importance of Reid’s work, especially in their home country of Poland where LGBTQ individuals lack sufficient protection. Sokolova expressed gratitude for the positive representation in Reid’s stories, offering hope for a brighter future for the queer community.
Sokolova, who had previously visited Canada for the premiere of “Heated Rivalry” in Toronto, decided to embark on a themed trip centered around the book series, this time bringing her friend along. Upon discovering Reid’s event promotion on social media, they adjusted their travel plans to attend, eager to support the cause and express their longstanding admiration for Reid’s work.
Following their visit to Nova Scotia, the duo plans to explore Toronto and Montreal for additional book-related events and meet with fellow fans of Rachel Reid’s novels. The generous donation of $300,000 by Rachel Reid to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library last month has provided temporary relief, but library officials stress the need for sustainable funding to ensure long-term operations and growth. The library has been actively advocating for updated funding formulas and increased financial support from the province to address ongoing financial challenges.
The heartwarming story of Chrapkiewicz and Sokolova’s journey to Canada not only celebrates their love for literature and the impact of Rachel Reid’s work but also sheds light on the importance of inclusive storytelling and community support.
