It’s the most wonderful time of the year for bookworms.
Readers from Brooklyn are in for a treat as the popular annual Brooklyn Book Festival returns to the borough to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Thousands flock to the largest free literary event in the city, which will be held on Sunday, September 20 this year. An expected 90 programs highlighting the written word will hit center stage at Borough Hall. Actor John Leguizamo and novelist Salman Rushdie will headline the festival.
In addition, during the main event, attendees will be able to stroll through the vibrant outdoor literary marketplace with nearly 200 independent booksellers and publishers.
“As an avid bookworm and lover of the written word, I am thrilled to be part of the 10th anniversary of the Brooklyn Book Festival, the preeminent celebration of literature and literary culture in our nation,” said Borough President Eric Adams. “Authors from around the world will make this milestone a truly global affair, reflecting the unmatched diversity of our borough and its readers.”
In addition to the main event, the festival will include several other activities, dubbed Bookend events, literary themed events that will take place in various venues around the borough, such as clubs, parks, bookstores and libraries and including film screenings, parties, literary games and author appearances.
A fan favorite during the week-long event is Children’s Day, which will be held on Saturday, September 19 at MetroTech and which will feature workshops, several illustrators and authors such as Edwidge Danticat, Drew Daywalt, Kazu Kibuishi and Emily Jenkins.
Elected officials and organizers alike are thrilled to have a component that encourages children to read. “I am pleased that this year will include expanded children’s programming to help stoke a love of books in our youngest Brooklynites and their growing minds,” said Adams.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Brooklyn Book Festival as it celebrates its 10th anniversary with a Children’s Day in MetroTech Commons,” said President and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies MaryAnne Gilmartin, “The Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day brings authors, illustrators and children’s booksellers to this beautifully landscaped open space in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn for families to enjoy a day of readings, workshops and performances.”
“This is always our first big celebration for our authors,” said Liz Koch, one of the festival’s co-producers. “We let people know: start getting excited about the book festival.”
“The Brooklyn Book Festival has something for everyone this September, and I encourage newcomers to join the tens of thousands that will flock to Brooklyn Borough Hall, along with locations across Downtown Brooklyn and the rest of our city,” added Adams.
For a full schedule for the Brooklyn Festival, which begins on Monday, September 14, visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org.
Additional reporting by Faraz T. Toor
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