Niv Sekar and Gina Chung at the Kundiman booth.
From March 4th–7th, Kundiman attended the AWP 2026 Conference and Bookfair in Baltimore. Every year, we look forward to this opportunity to be in the same city as so many dear friends, and to engage in meaningful discussions about the craft of writing.
Fargo Nissim Tbakhi, leena aboutaleb, and Sarah Aziza in conversation. Photo credit: River 瑩瑩 Dandelion
On Friday, March 6th, we hosted a series of events. It was an honor to present the featured event Towards a Liberatory Literature: A Palestinian Voices Reading and Conversation with Sarah Aziza and Fargo Nissim Tbakhi, and moderator leena aboutaleb. Before the event, Kundiman shared a brief statement acknowledging the fact that this is a time of grief and we extend our solidarity, particularly to our SWANA communities, amid US and Israeli bombardment of Iran and Lebanon as well as the ongoing genocide and Israeli apartheid in Palestine.
The event opened with a reading by Sarah Aziza, who shared from her memoir The Hollow Half, and Fargo Nissim Tbakhi, who read from his collection Terror Counter.
Sarah Aziza reading.
Fargo Nissim Tbakhi reading.
The panelists began by unpacking the notion of writing as a tool for liberation, and, in doing so, invited the audience to begin from this place, by “taking for granted” the idea that literature can be liberatory. They considered what it means to write towards liberation as Palestinian writers. They discussed “the affective dimension” of the long global struggle towards liberation and how writing allows us to identify and give space to our feelings, creating possibilities for us to move towards change. The panelists also acknowledged the responsibility writers have to their communities near and far, including ghosts and ancestors. This conversation was a galvanizing reminder that while writing may be one tool for liberation, how we show up for one another can and should go beyond the page.
leena aboutaleb moderating the discussion.
An illustration of the featured event by artist Shay Mirk
Fargo Nissim Tbakhi, leena aboutaleb, and Sarah Aziza.
In the afternoon, we presented the AAPI Caucus which is typically a town hall-style hangout and community space, in which AAPI writers discuss literary opportunities, share resources, and explore the issues of our communities. During this year's caucus, Asian American Literature Festival Collective (AALFC) members including Soleil David, Lawrence-Minh Bùi Davis, and Mimi Khúc discussed the importance of labor equity in arts administration, as well as how folks can support one another in a time of decreased arts fundraising.
Gina Chung, Soleil David, Lawrence-Minh Bùi Davis, and Mimi Khúc at the AAPI Caucus.
Later that evening, we stepped out of conference mode and onto the dance floor at Hard Times Require Furious Dancing, an AWP off-site dance party organized by CityLit, Kundiman, and fellow organizations. Meanwhile, in another part of town at Backwater Books and Bibliopub, the Kundiman South and Northeast Regional Groups hosted Growing From Our Roots: An Asian Debut Showcase. This year marked the fifth anniversary of this reading series and featured writers Mina Khan, Lisa Low, Aparna Paul, Mandy Moe Pwint Tu, Samyak Shertok, Andy Sia, Eshani Surya, and Kathy Wu.
Joshua Nguyen, Susan Nguyen, Mina Khan, Eshani Surya, Samyak Shertok, Mandy Moe Pwint Tu, Aparna Paul, Lisa Low, and Andy Sia. Photo credit: Juston Spradling
Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Growing From Our Roots reading series. Photo credit: Juston Spradling
During the conference, we held book signings at our booth with Karissa Chen, Sejal Shah, Ching-In Chen, Purvi Shah, Jess Yuan, River 瑩瑩 Dandelion, and Cathy Linh Che. We enjoyed catching up with and meeting everyone who stopped by our booth or attended one of our events. See you at AWP 2027 in Chicago!
The Kundiman booth at AWP 2026.
River 瑩瑩 Dandelion’s book signing.
Purvi Shah’s book signing.
Jess Yuan and Wo Chan at the Kundiman booth.
Ching-In Chen and Ina Cariño at the Kundiman Booth.
Sejal Shah’s book signing.
Karissa Chen’s book signing.
Wo Chan, R.A. Villanueva, Janine Joseph, and Cathy Linh Che at the Kundiman booth.
Wall of hearts at the Kundiman booth featuring names of writers contributed by attendees.