Asian American Literature Festival that was canceled by the Smithsonian in 2023 to be revived

NEW YORK — A festival celebrating Asian American literary works that was suddenly canceled by the Smithsonian Institution last year is being revived, organizers announced Thursday.

The Asian American Literature Festival is returning, the Asian American Literature Festival Collective said in a statement. It will take place from September 14 to 22, but without the help of the Smithsonian. And instead of just taking place in Washington DC, the in-person and virtual events will be spread across the country.

The Collective and various partner organizations have planned lectures, salons, workshops and interactive installations. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, as well as Champaign, Illinois, will host events. There will also be meetings in New Zealand and Australia.

The festival, a biennial event since 2017, brings together writers, publishers and others from the Asian diaspora. Traditionally, this is done in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Events were held at Washington locations such as the National Portrait Gallery and the Library of Congress. But last year, a month before the August opening date, the Smithsonian announced it was calling it off.

Smithsonian officials told the news media that the cancellation was for “administrative/logistical reasons.” It had nothing to do with the festival content, which also included books by transgender and non-binary writers.

A representative for the Smithsonian Institution was not immediately available for comment.

Writers and literary organizations that were on the verge of convergence say they were blindsided by the decision and left with financial losses.

Organizers say the new approach will allow more people from different communities to participate in the festivities.