Virginia's 12th Festival of the Book, hosted in Charlottesville by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, drew a record audience of over 26,000 to its 250 literary events, said Nancy Damon, program director of the festival.
The Festival, an annual celebration of reading and writing, featured around 300 writers in venues varying from the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library to the Downtown Mall.
The five-day event, free to the public, began March 22 and featured readings by several University professors, including creative writing Professors Rita Dove and Gregory Orr.
In one event, three University graduates each read from their new books of poetry.
"The Festival celebrates writing, celebrates writers and creates an opportunity for writers and readers to interact," Orr said.
Creative Writing Prof. Christopher Tilghman emphasized the Festival's wide scope as it includes cookbook authors and lyric poets alike.
While there are many similar events held in the United States, Dove, Virginia's poet laureate, said she considers this festival a "Valhalla" of Book Festivals and believes its reputation is turning Charlottesville into a kind of literary Camelot.
The Festival's record combined audience of 26, 446 exceeded last year's turnout by 3,500 and exceeded organizers' "wildest expectations," Damon said.
While this year's statistics are still being tabulated, 60 to 70 percent of last year's attendees were from greater Charlottesville, though 35 states and several foreign countries were represented in the other 30 to 40 percent, Damon said.
She added that she believes the Festival's growth can be attributed not only to increased awareness but also to a fuller involvement of community groups. For example, Damon said, Amnesty International hosted journalist and author Amy Goodman for an audience of 508.
The University Bookstore provided book sales and signing for 43 of the events held on Grounds and experienced "good sales," General Book Manager Wayne Twilliger said. During a presentation by graphic novelist Art Spiegelman, for example, Twilliger said every one of 100 pre-signed books were sold.
Laura-Eve Engel, a third-year College student from Charlottesville, said she "definitely" recommends the Festival to University students and considers it spectacular that a town as small as Charlottesville can host such an event.
Of the opportunities the festival affords to University students, Creative Writing Prof. Lisa Spaar believes "it gives current students a sense of what is possible -- that someday they may embody their poems in the covers of books."
For former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, "nothing beats hearing writers read and talk about their work."
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