Fourth annual Book Fest brings written word to life

Tulane Today today@tulane.edu
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Tulane was abuzz as the fourth annual New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University came to life. Held Thursday, March 27, to Saturday, March 29, this year's festival included over 200 authors, illustrators, chefs and thought leaders who descended on the uptown campus for over 90 panels, book signings, a culinary symposium, Family Day activities and a closing musical celebration. 

The Atlantic returned as the festival's national media partner, kicking off Thursday evening with a standing-room only crowd there to see The Atlantic's Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg alongside Pulitzer Prize-winner Anne Applebaum, McKay Coppins, Elaina Plott Calabro and Adam Serwer. The evening concluded with a conversation with "Just Mercy" author and Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson.

Renowned panelists shared their stories throughout the weekend, including guests such as W. Kamau Bell, Connie Chung, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Doris Kearns Goodwin, John Grisham, Walter Isaacson, Don Lemon, Sharon McMahon, Casey McQuiston, Gen. David H. Petraeus, Nate Silver, Tara Westover, Bob Woodward and many more.

The weekend also saw crossover programming with New Orleans Entrepreneur Week and partner events with Tulane Libraries, Newcomb Institute, the Tulane Environmental Law & Policy Summit and others. 

The festival closed on a high note Saturday afternoon with a lively performance by Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee and New Orleans rhythm & blues legend Deacon John, as well as free crawfish for all guests. 

Relive the literary celebration through these photos, and check out Tulane's Instagram for even more. 

Photos by Kenny Lass, Kacie Fayard, Beebe Tran, Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee, Jared Lyons, Eric Bordelon, Cheryl Gerber and Julie Verlinden. 

2025 opening night session with The Altantic
Official media partner of the event, The Atlantic kicked off the festival Thursday evening with a rousing discussion featuring its award-winning journalists. From left: Adam Serwer, Anne Applebaum, Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, Elaina Plott Calabro and McKay Coppins.
Book sale tent at Book Fest 2025
The Hyatt Regency Festival Tent was packed to the brim with books for sale from panelists and guests.
President Michael A. Fitts and Dr. Vivek Murthy at Book Fest 2025
President Michael A. Fitts (left) spoke with Dr. Vivek Murthy (right), former U.S. Surgeon General and author of "Together: The Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World." The two discussed how to cultivate community in this day and age, as well as Murthy's life in public service.
W. Kamau Bell (center) at Book Fest 2025
In the session titled "The Power of Perception," panelists Sarah Lewis (left), W. Kamau Bell (center) and Charles M. Blow (right) explored the intersection of religion and politics in America.
Casey McQuiston at Book Fest 2025
Author of "Red, White and Royal Blue" Casey McQuiston joined the panel "Happily Ever After?" which explored the complexities of modern love stories in fiction.
Artist Simon at Book Fest 2025
Guests posed for a selfie with beloved New Orleans artist Simon, who designed the 2025 Book Fest poster.
Walter Isaacson and Dr. Fauci at Book Fest 2025
Walter Isaacson (left), Book Fest co-chair and Leonard Lauder Professor of American History and Values at Tulane, moderated a discussion with Dr. Anthony Fauci titled "On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service."
Richard Campanella at Book Fest 2025
Richard Campanella, geographer and holder of the Jean and Saul A. Mintz Professorship, has written 15 books and 300 articles on New Orleans and Louisiana geography, history, urbanism and related topics. He is one of over 100 authors who signed books during the festival.
African Cuisine panel at Book Fest 2025
Part of this year's culinary symposium, the panel "The Global Table: African Cuisine’s Influence and Evolution" featured Alexander Smalls (left), Biruk Alemayehu and Serigne Mbaye (right). Michelle Miller (center) moderated the panel.
Family Day at the Fest 2025
Two kids from this year's Family Day at the Fest were all smiles after hearing live readings from local and national authors.
Connie Chung (right) at Book Fest 2025
Trailblazing reporter and longtime co-anchor of CBS Evening News Connie Chung (right) spoke with moderator Betsy Fischer Martin (left) about her memoir "Connie."
Crawfish at closing celebration of Book Fest 2025
After a jam-packed weekend celebrating the written word, guests unwound with free Louisiana crawfish outside the Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
Closing celebration at Book Fest 2025
This year's "Mardi Gras for the Mind" was brought to a close with the sweet tunes of New Orleans rhythm & blues legend Deacon John (right).
Environmental Book Fest 2025
See you next year, book lovers!

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