In 2003, the Gathering highlighted ballads and epics. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins, wrote an insightful essay on the ballad for The New York Times on the festival’s opening day; and we hosted a special conference and concert honoring Alan Lomax for his contribution to folk music and poetry. Sierra Leonean Kewulay Kamara, a member of the finenu caste of poets joined with jali musicians from West Africa for a performance of Sundiata. Acclaimed chanter of medieval epics Benjamin Bagby performed the Anglo‑Saxon Beowulf, and Kazakhstan singer Almasbek Almatov presented a stunning performance of the traditional epics of his homeland.