Book events throughout the metro area will be promoting literature and literacy on the eve of National Banned Book Week starting Sunday.
The American Library Association's observance will be the focal point of several events.
A Banned Book Fair will be held Saturday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church's Fellowship Hall at the avenue and Broadway Street.
Partnering with Blue Cypress Books, the church hopes to promote literacy, free intellectual inquiry and access to literature.
“At St. Charles, we believe in the autonomy of the individual to pursue truth, beauty and goodness in all its many forms,” said the Rev. Dr. Marc J. Boswell, interim pastor. “The impulse to ban books comes from a spirit of fear and hostility, yet we at St. Charles seek to cultivate a spirit of openness and inclusivity.
Visit stcharlesave.church for more information.
An [Un]ban Book Festival will kick off at Baldwin & Co. Coffee + Bookstore Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1030 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans.
A flurry of activities will be included in the event, including guest speakers discussing the power of storytelling and its impact on society, education and the role in social justice and equality, a chance to meet authors, musical performances, food trucks and gift bags with a literary emphasis.
The bookstore will also be offering free copies of banned books to students, including such titles as "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Bluest Eye," "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and "Pride: the Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag."
The festival is free but registration is requested. Visit unbanbooks.eventbrite.com.