The Asian American Literature Festival, which was abruptly canceled by the Smithsonian Institution last year, is set to make a comeback this year without the institution’s support. The Asian American Literature Festival Collective announced that the event will take place from September 14-22, with both in-person and virtual events spread nationwide. Partner organizations have planned a variety of activities, including readings, salons, workshops, and interactive installations in cities across the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
The festival, which has been held biannually since 2017, aims to bring together writers, publishers, and individuals from the Asian diaspora. In the past, the festival has collaborated with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and hosted events at Washington, D.C. landmarks. However, last year, the Smithsonian canceled the event citing “administrative/logistical reasons,” leaving organizers, participants, and literary organizations in the lurch. Despite the cancellation, the Smithsonian has not ruled out collaborating on the festival in the future.
One of the major issues that arose from the cancellation was the alleged outstanding debts owed to organizers by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Cathy Linh Che, executive director of Kundiman, a nonprofit supporting Asian American writers, called on the Smithsonian to be accountable and rectify the harm caused by canceling the event. The Smithsonian stated that they had paid honoraria to 48 individuals and three organizations for completed work, while two others opted to forgo payment. They emphasized that anyone who submitted the required paperwork for payment received compensation.
The decision to move forward without the Smithsonian’s support is seen as a way to involve a broader range of communities in the festival’s programming. By expanding the event to various locations across the country and internationally, organizers hope to engage more people in celebrating Asian American literary works. The inclusion of virtual events will also make the festival more accessible to those who may not be able to attend in person. While the cancellation of last year’s event was a disappointment to many, the revival of the Asian American Literature Festival represents a significant step towards reclaiming the celebration and recognition of Asian American voices in literature.
