[1] The festival is put on by Blue Metropolis Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1997 that offers educational and social programs.
[4] Its programming, which took place in French and English, included the first Blue Metropolis Translation Slam as well as literacy/community writing activities, readings, on-stage interviews, and panel discussions.
[6] The name 'Blue Metropolis' was partially inspired by the philosophical essay 'On Being Blue', in which the American writer William H. Gass investigates the many different and contradictory connotations of the word 'blue'.
The Blue Metropolis Words to Change Prize is awarded to a writer whose work connects linguistic, religious, ethnic or other communities.
Dr Issa J Boullata served as consultant for the prize and the jury was composed of an international roster of poets, novelists, and literary professionals.