The 2025 Festival of Faiths will celebrate the interconnectedness of all people and the world we share. Together we will explore ways to cultivate communities of care, foster solidarity through empathy, and resist cultural systems that sow discord. Gather with us to discover a joy that honors our differences as we seek true belonging.
Check back regularly for updates. Individual session tickets will be available for purchase in late summer.
Pathways to Belonging Workshop
10 a.m. to noon
This meditative workshop will explore themes of compassion, inclusion and radical belonging. Participants will engage in mindfulness exercises that will set the stage for a meaningful festival.
Opening Celebration
5:30 p.m. · Cathedral of the Assumption
Join us for a celebration that seeks to honor our differences, foster radical acceptance and highlight our shared humanity. This interfaith event will feature diverse community leaders and uplifting music as we set the stage for a meaningful exploration of Sacred Belonging.
Spiritual Practice
8:30 to 9 a.m.
This contemplative session offers an opportunity to set an intention for the day by opening our hearts, calming our minds, and centering our bodies for full engagement and dialogue.
Moving from Estrangement to Belonging
9:30 to 11 a.m.
“The world [we] are inheriting is locked in a struggle between love and fear,” writes Dr. Vivek Murthy. In this panel, we will explore what causes this fear and how it limits our ability to feel we belong. Panelists will address where their faith traditions believe belonging can be found and investigate what mystic Toko-pa Turner calls the “origins of estrangement.”
The Dangers of ‘Othering’
12:30 to 2 p.m.
How can we, as individuals, foster systems of inclusion and hospitality rather than marginalization? This panel will explore the reasons we exclude and how this tendency has unfolded throughout human history. By understanding the pitfalls of “ingroups” and “outgroups,” we can work toward understanding and embracing our interconnectedness.
Keynote Address with Valarie Kaur
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Valarie Kaur is a civil rights activist, lawyer, filmmaker, innovator and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Valarie will explore the concept of reclaiming love as a force for justice.
Spiritual Practice
8:30 to 9 a.m.
This contemplative session offers an opportunity to set an intention for the day by opening our hearts, calming our minds, and centering our bodies for full engagement and dialogue.
The Beauty of Radical Inclusion
9:30 to 11 a.m.
When we belong, as bell hooks writes, we find “a place where the soul can rest.” In this conversation, we will consider how radical acts of inclusion and hospitality can guide us to a beautiful space of togetherness.
Birthing Belonging: Inspiration into Action
12:30 to 2 p.m.
Join us as this panel will inspire festival-goers to consider their own narratives of belonging by hearing panelists who will speak to where and how they found belonging along life’s journey.
Workshop: Together in Time: An Interactive Workshop of Stories and Music
Rhythm naturally fosters belonging by coordinating and synchronizing our actions in time. This interactive session will feature local musicians who carry rhythmic traditions from around the world, creating a shared experience for all who attend. Curated by Sara Callaway and the Louisville Academy of Music.
An Evening of Music Featuring Appalatin
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Join us for a high-energy evening of foot-stomping, hip-swinging sounds from Appalatin, a beloved Louisville band blending Appalachian folk and Latin music.
Faith-In: Communities of Belonging
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Join us for an open, honest dialogue as we tap into our collective creativity with an eye toward envisioning a tomorrow where we all belong. This facilitated “think-in” will be a quick-moving co-creation of ideas, and all in attendance are invited to participate.
Closing Celebration
11 a.m. to noon
To add your organization to our sponsorship family, contact Tricia Williams.
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Festival of Faiths is a nationally acclaimed, multi-day festival in Louisville, Kentucky, which hosts spiritual practitioners, thought leaders and movement makers. Join us on this journey of conversation, understanding and spiritual nourishment.
