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Our view: Durango Literary Festival underway; locals to shine

The Durango Public Library presents for the 13th year, the 2024 Durango Literary Festival that kicked off Saturday and runs through Oct. 19. The festival is sponsored by the Friends of the Durango Public Library. We, of course, love all things literary, and the lit fest is no exception.

This year, organizers embraced the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally” to showcase not just bestselling national and internationally recognized authors and poets, as in previous years – think Carl Bernstein, Lisa See and Chris Bohjalian – but regional and local talent, as well.

Of that, increasingly in our region, there are many. Creatives are attracted to beautiful places and for that we benefit.

Bring your pen or computer to learn from Durango Poet Laureates Esther Belin and Zoe Golden, and authors Kinsale Drake and the NDN Girls Book Club, Ramona Emerson, Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Scott Graham, Heather Hansman and storytelling workshops with the creators of the Raven Narratives.

Spenser Snarr, the library’s Adult Services supervisor and lit fest organizer, is especially excited about this year’s festival intentionally designed over two weeks as an extended period of celebration at the library.

A longer event also allows the festival to be more inclusive and engaging; to showcase and uplift authors, organizations and resources people may not have heard before; and to focus on the breadth and depth of literary activities.

A DurangoCreates! Grant allowed the festival to be offered in both English and Spanish and the five big author events will be interpreted in Spanish.

This year’s festival will feature book readings, signings and conversations, as well as book clubs, writing and book publishing workshops. Festivalgoers are sure to find an activity they will enjoy: from poetry to murder mystery to how to write your own memoir.

Keynote addresses will provide book-signings and light refreshments in partnership with Maria’s Bookshop, our beloved community literary institution that just celebrated its 40th year.

All events are free and many require registration. For a full schedule and to register, visit durangoco.gov/1749/Library.