News
April 5, 2006
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.