President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are scheduled to give keynote addresses at this year’s SXSW. The music, tech and film festival kicks off next week in Austin, Texas, and news of the president and first lady’s planned attendance is bound to bring out an even bigger crowd than usual.
President Obama’s keynote is set for Friday, March 11, during the interactive portion of the festival. The president will join Evan Smith, CEO and editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune, and will discuss “civic engagement in the 21st century.”
The first lady’s keynote will be held March 16 during the music portion of the festival. Michelle Obama’s keynote will focus on the White House’s Let Girls Learn program, which strives to ensure that girls around the world have access to education.
This year’s appearance by the Obamas will mark the first time the festival will have had a sitting president and first lady in attendance.