Playing is as universal as anything in the human experience.

We play as children to learn cultural norms, social bonds and how to handle life's ups and downs. We play as adults for recreation, passion and competition. We play at any age to add richness and joy to our lives. Whether simple or complex, alone or together, playing is ubiquitous.

This fall, the College of Humanities will explore "Play" as the theme of the annual Tucson Humanities Festival.

With the World Cup capturing the attention of sports fans globally all summer, 2026 is the perfect year to think about all the ways in which playing is intertwined with human cultures, said Alain-Philippe Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities. Durand, who attended three of France's matches, said soccer will be among the many topics discussed at the festival.

"All around the world, you can't escape it. You go to the stadium because it's your team, it's your nation. It's something everybody can enjoy together. Sports, and soccer in particular, can definitely unite people," Durand said. "But beyond that, the Tucson Humanities Festival will dive into many aspects of what it means to play. We'll examine global perspectives on the worlds of comics, cosplay, video games, improvisational music and dance, and the wide world of online play."

The festival will feature a conversation with Wildcat legend and College of Humanities alumnus Steve Kerr and U of A men's basketball head coach Tommy Lloyd, moderated by Durand, about the impact of a global mindset and how it has shaped their coaching and leadership styles, a salon featuring faculty from across the college presenting on their research and teaching, a panel about the intersections of sports and society, and more.

Coinciding with National Arts & Humanities Month, the Tucson Humanities Festival began in 2009 as Humanities Week and has grown into a monthlong series of guest speakers and special events.

"Playing is at the heart of human culture and meaning. It's what adds joy to our lives, so what could be more enjoyable as a theme for the Humanities Festival?" Durand said. "The humanities can provide insight into every aspect of the way we live and this year, we wanted to shine a light on something that crosses all boundaries and can put smiles on everyone's faces."

Tucson Humanities Festival schedule

Steve Kerr and Tommy Lloyd: Lessons from Around the World
Friday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.
Bear Down Building
Join Kerr and Lloyd for a wide-ranging conversation about the impact of a global mindset and how it has shaped their coaching and leadership styles. Tickets start from $25 and support the Kerr Family Endowment for Humanities Abroad, which provides study abroad scholarships for humanities students.

Straight to the Goal: The Intersections of Sports and Humanities
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6 p.m.
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
Panelists will share their perspectives on the interdisciplinary connections that can be found between sports, the humanities and a variety of other disciplines.

A Global Playground: Humanities Abroad Fair and Café
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
U of A Mall
A humanities education is a passport to the world. Drop by for activities and information about the world of possibilities at the College of Humanities.

The Game at the End of the World: A Reading with Francisco Cantú and Juan Villaro
Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.
U of A Poetry Center
Celebrated Mexican author Juan Villoro's new book explores soccer through the elements that make it one of the world's favorite pastimes. Through the work of translator Francisco Cantú, the book's reach, like the sport itself, expands across borders and languages.

The Range of Play: Humanities Faculty Salon
Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m.
U of A Poetry Center
College of Humanities faculty will give brief presentations discussing games and play from a variety of perspectives.

Homerathon and the Odyssey: Toying with Tradition
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.
U of A Poetry Center
Presented by the Classics program and the Classics Club, the annual day-long reading of a Homeric epic will feature a series of faculty mini-lectures at 6 p.m.