Loving Literature in a Pandemic
The Mississippi Book Festival gets high marks for not missing a beat
When COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of this year's in-person event, Mississippi Book Festival organizers quickly pivoted to a virtual Literary Lawn Party, filled with lively and entertaining online conversations via videos and podcasts. What was originally planned as a jam-packed weekend has been transformed into an ongoing celebration of books - the perfect thing to hold fans until next year's festival in August 2021.
The Community Foundation has served as the Book Festival's fiscal agent since its inception. On the occasion of the festival's 5th anniversary last year CFM was proud to sponsor the the event with a lead grant of $50,000. Given the
statewide impact of the 2019 Book Festival, the Community Foundation was happy to return this year with another lead grant. Funds from this sponsorship not only support the virtual programming of the 2020 festival, but also support planning of the 2021 event.
Explore the 2020 virtual festival at your leisure! Celebrated panelists include Ron Rash, Natasha Trethewey, Angie Thomas, and a host of others. Click
HERE to explore the festival lineup, and check back often. New podcasts and virtual panels are added frequently.
