The 21st CityLit Festival: Dismantling The Culture Of Silence is a highly anticipated event in Baltimore that celebrates the power of literature and the written word. This year's festival, marking the 20th anniversary of the CityLit Project, will feature an impressive lineup of authors, poets, and artists who will come together to explore the theme of "Dismantling the Culture of Silence." The festival will take place on April 20th at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and will showcase a diverse range of literary voices. Highlights include Emmy-Award-winning author Kwame Alexander, the 2023 National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 honoree Mateo Askaripour, and the R&B musical artist Be Steadwell. The theme of the festival is particularly timely, as it addresses the alarming trend of book banning in public schools and libraries, primarily targeting books by authors of color and LGBTQI+ writers. The festival will also explore the impact of AI on the literary domain, the threats to journalism and the dissemination of information, the freedom to write about unspeakable violence, the reality of historical erasures, and the publishing industry's tendency to fuel younger authors while neglecting the aging. Through a series of thought-provoking panels, readings, and performances, the festival aims to create a space for open and inclusive conversations on these critical issues. The CityLit Project, known for its innovative programming and commitment to fostering diverse literary voices, is honored to host this year's festival and to serve as the festival bookseller. The 21st CityLit Festival promises to be a powerful and transformative event, where writers, readers, and the broader community can come together to celebrate the written word and collectively dismantle the culture of silence that has long plagued the literary landscape.