AWP Booth 2024. Photo credit: Shirley Cai

From February 7th–10th, Kundiman attended the 2024 AWP Conference and Bookfair. The conference is always abundant with readings, discussions, and events — and this year, it was also a time to contemplate solidarity and the power of togetherness.

We visited with Kundiman Fellows, faculty, and friends at our booth, and celebrated with our community at Kundiman’s 20th Birthday Party. We danced, savored treats from a local AAPI bakery, and wrote the names of our favorite AAPI writers in red and white hearts for a communally-created display.

We held a 20th Anniversary Reading and Conversation with Franny Choi, Megha Majumdar, and Srikanth Reddy, which was moderated by Marci Calabretta Cancio-Bello. Franny spoke about the symbiosis between community work and the creative process, sharing that much of their life and art “was made possible by community spaces…the people [they] met at them, and the feeling like [they] belonged.” Megha urged the audience to make the art only they can make, and to honor its “full complexity.” Srikanth reflected on evolutions of AAPI literature, declaring that the current and future generations of AAPI writers will “transform the world.”

At the Asian American Caucus, we discussed specific ways writers can transform the world, especially in light of many continuous violences. As we connected with other AAPI writers, we focused on how writing can be a tool for solidarity in our current moment. During this gathering — which Kundiman co-hosted with the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, Kaya Press, and Kearny Street Workshop — we checked in with one another as a community and shared resources for cross-cultural movement work.

We encourage you to view additional photos (including Kundiman Fellow story takeovers) on our Instagram, and to join our newsletter to learn about upcoming events celebrating AAPI literature and community.