In an article written by Abbie Kozolchyk in the Condé Nast Traveler on April 23rd, the Tucson Festival of Books was ranked as one of the nine best book fairs in the world — and the Vatican Observatory is called out in particular as a featured member of the festival’s extensive “Science City”. Go VO!
Members of the Vatican Observatory Foundation staff have been attending the Tucson Festival of Books, held every March on the campus of the University of Arizona, for nearly ten years. VOF board member Dr. Larry Lebofsky spearheads our participation; he and his wife Nancy, a former board member, design a creative science display each year for curious people of all ages who stop by our table.
Br. Guy Consolmagno, Fr. Justin Whittington, Fr. Jean Baptiste Kikwaya, and Chris Kennedy have been regulars at manning the table, along with our colleague from the University of Arizona, Michelle Cournoyer. From year to year, other Vatican astronomers like Fr. Paul Gabor and Fr. Richard Boyle have joined in, as their schedules allow.
This honor is a tribute to the thousands of volunteers and presenters whose contributions over the years have elevated the festival to “A-List” status; to the scores of sponsors who have provided critical support; to the exhibitors, food vendors and entertainers, and to the hundreds of thousands of book lovers from Southern Arizona and beyond who’ve turned out to welcome some of America’s top authors and illustrators.
Steering Committee, Tucson Festival of Books
The article by Kozolchyk discusses all 9 festivals – where they’re held, and where to stay if you plan on attending. If you attend the Tucson Festival of Books in March of 2025, be sure to stop by the Vatican Observatory’s table!
