Asian American Literature Pageant that was canceled by the Smithsonian in 2023 to be revived
NEW YORK — A pageant celebrating Asian American literary works that was all of a sudden canceled final yr by the Smithsonian Establishment is getting resurrected, organizers introduced Thursday.
The Asian American Literature Pageant is making a return, the Asian American Literature Pageant Collective stated in a press release. It is going to happen Sept. 14-22 — however with out the Smithsonian’s assist. And as a substitute of solely being in Washington, D.C., the in-person and digital occasions can be unfold out nationwide.
The Collective and a number of other companion organizations have deliberate readings, salons, workshops and interactive installations. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, in addition to Champaign, Illinois, will host occasions. There can even be gatherings in New Zealand and Australia.
A biannual occasion since 2017, the pageant brings collectively writers, publishers and others throughout the Asian diaspora. It has historically been accomplished in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Heart. Occasions had been held at Washington websites just like the Nationwide Portrait Gallery and the Library of Congress. However final yr, a month earlier than the August opening date, the Smithsonian introduced it was calling it off.
Smithsonian officers informed information retailers the cancellation was for “administrative/logistical causes.” It had nothing to do with pageant content material, which included books by transgender and nonbinary writers.
A consultant for the Smithsonian Establishment was not instantly obtainable to remark.
Writers and literary organizations set to converge say they had been blindsided by the choice and left with monetary losses.
Organizers say the brand new method will enable extra folks from totally different communities to take part within the festivities.
