Literary Festivities Abound in Winston-Salem This Weekend
The much-anticipated Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors is set to enliven the streets of downtown Winston-Salem this weekend. The event, starting on Friday, promises a captivating lineup of activities across various venues on Saturday, all free of charge.
Families are in for a treat with a sing-along storytime session featuring Anika Noni Rose, renowned for voicing Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. For those interested in audio storytelling, a live rendition of the children’s podcast Greeking Out will also be available.
Young adult literature enthusiasts can look forward to a panel at Calvary Moravian Church, headlined by bestselling author Angie Thomas, known for her impactful novel, The Hate U Give. The festival also boasts appearances by distinguished southern fiction authors Sarah Addison Allen and Kristy Woodson Harvey, along with Emily Wilson, celebrated for being the first woman to translate The Odyssey into English.
According to Jamie Rogers Southern, the Executive Director of Bookmarks, the festival holds universal appeal. “I think there’s something really magical about being surrounded by 20,000 people who all care about stories and the power that stories have to connect us and bring us together,” Southern shared.
The festival will feature keynote addresses from acclaimed authors John Green and Jodi Picoult, bookending the event with their inspirational insights.
