Soul Festival

I recently attended a local Book Festival. Numerous well-known authors, poets, editors, artists and media specialists were there. Some had set up tables to sell their self-published books; some were there to speak about their latest work; some were there to talk about their artistic journey; some were there to inspire. Sometimes all of the above. I attend this Festival every year. I guess I go to remain inspired, to learn and to be around others who love reading and/or writing as much as I do.

There is usually a center area like a vast ballroom that has been partitioned into row after row of booksellers, booths, big box store-representatives, etc. And let me just say it: Being in that space is overwhelming. And I absolutely love it. It’s like a giant library I can actually buy. I don’t of course, because of being overwhelmed with too many choices but I adore it nevertheless. Just being in that space, surrounded by books is joyful for me. All I can think is, how will I ever have enough time to read everything I want to read? I could have wandered the aisles for many hours. My feet gave out long before my curiosity about what was around the next corner did. I know I am not alone in this. I could see it in the faces of everyone around me. The crowd of literature lovers was impressive.

Surrounding this ballroom was a circle of rooms kind of like a conch shell of chambers. Each chamber held a master class on writing, an author or group of authors talking about craft, poetry readings and on and on. The problem was what to choose.  An embarrassment of riches.

A highlight for me this year was a purely random event. I was pausing at a table of books and suddenly the great artist Jonathan Green walked up. He spoke to the vendor who was selling his books and she asked him to sign several copies. I was a bit awestruck, having been a huge fan of his work and of the magnificent ballet based on his work. He looked up, shook my hand and smiled and I said as much. He was so gracious, gentle and humble.

Jonathan Green

When I walked away I found that I was very emotional. I think it was the fact of being around so much brilliant creative talent. It was all around me. It filled the air. It filled my heart. It filled my soul.