The Festival believes in the power of story as an invitation to learn about ourselves and others—and to create meaning and community  at a time of extraordinary change. In a world convulsed by conflict, and where tolerance is in short supply, books are banned, and truth is under assault, the Festival is a light against the dark, where words matter and our shared humanity is celebrated.

We envision the Festival as a collaborative event where world-class authors and passionate readers listen, talk, and think freely about their interests, values, and experiences, a space where preconceived notions are challenged and common ground is shared. 

We also see the Festival as a way to celebrate our city’s deep literary history and diverse community of writers. And we see it as an opportunity to foster a love of storytelling among young writers and readers, both at the Festival itself and beyond.