Faith and Writing Event Comes to Calvin

Calvin College will host more than 70 authors and about 2,000 readers, writers and other literary enthusiasts at the 2010 Festival of Faith and Writing, running Thursday through Saturday, April 15-17.

This year's line-up of speakers includes award-winning authors, filmmakers, photographers, illustrators and educators; numerous national book award winners, "New York Times" bestselling authors, national poetry award recipients and Newbery Award winners, just to name a few.

Festival planners are also trying something new this year, offering a "Festival in the City," a series of events that are free and open to the public at the Ladies Literary Club in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Authors Michael Perry and Kevin Young, and filmmaker Laura Waters Hinson will be featured at the downtown series this year.

Festival director Shelly LeMahieu Dunn says that these community events will allow a broader audience to see the talent that the Festival brings to west Michigan.

"We're so excited to share some of the Festival's literary riches with the Grand Rapids community," said LeMahieu Dunn, "and we're hopeful that many more people will get a chance to experience a taste of the Festival this year."

Nationally honored teacher and award-winning writer Wally Lamb is one of this year's notable names. The two-time Oprah's Book Club author will be giving Thursday evening's plenary address.

Eugene Peterson, author of "The Message," a modern translation of the Bible, will also give a plenary address. Other plenary speakers include Pulitzer Prize-nominated author Richard Rodriguez, author Parker Palmer and award-winning poet and memoirist Mary Karr.

On Calvin's campus, children's author Kate DiCamillo will be doing a reading and book signing that is free and open to the public. Families and school groups are especially welcome.

In addition to readings, lectures and sessions, the Festival will also feature the work of world-renowned photographer Steve McCurry, a recipient of the National Press Photographer's Association award for Magazine Photographer of the Year. McCurry, who has received an unprecedented four first prizes in the World Press Photo Contest, will display his work in Calvin's Center Art Gallery, March 29 through April 24.

Also at this year's festival Andras Visky, Spoelhof Chair of Calvin's communication arts and sciences department, will hold the North American premiere of his latest play, "Backborn."

For more info on Festival 2010, including a schedule and bios of all of the speakers, visit www.calvin.edu/festival. For all other inquiries, contact the Festival office at 616-526-6770.