President Obama and First Lady to Speak at SXSW
The Obamas will speak at annual technology and entertainment event.
— -- When South by Southwest started as an under-the-radar festival for technology, film and music nearly three decades ago, it's unlikely anyone ever imagined it would balloon into a massive annual event it has become. Now, even the president and first lady joining the fun.
SXSW organizers announced today that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in keynote events at this year's event. The president is set to speak on March 11 at the start of the interactive portion of the festival.
"The President will call on the audience to apply their ideas and talents to make technology work for us -- especially when it comes to tackling big challenges like increasing participation in the political process and fighting climate change," SXSW organizers said in a statement.
Michelle Obama will participate in a SXSW Music event on March 16, where she'll discuss the Let Girls Learn initiative, a group dedicated to helping the estimated 62 million girls around the world who are not in school today, according to organizers.
SXSW organizers said they plan to announce more details in the coming days regarding when and where people can view livestreams of the events.