I'm really happy to see you here, in my community, you are more than welcome, both you and your sister @vegoutt-travel. Regarding your post, it's a pleasure to know that in other countries veganism is an organized and constant movement, I can't say the same about my country, and even less about the area where I live, since it's a rural area, with an economy based on animal exploitation, (well, what's left of the economy, since my country is really destroyed on all levels).
Now, regarding your presentation at the festival, I think it's great that you approached it from the perspective of animal rights, because that's what makes people aware and change our way of life. Knowing that an animal, (pet or not), can think, feel and express emotions is the core of being vegan or not. I hope that initiatives like this festival will be maintained over time, because I firmly believe that being vegan or not is a decision that must be made consciously and according to the possibilities and circumstances of each person, not as something imposed or obligatory, and the transition must take place based on the possibilities of each person, as this is what will allow this decision to be maintained over time.
I hope that your book will be successful and read by many people. I think it will be the opening for many more publications.
Hugs!
Most things cannot be forced on people or society. People need to reach their own conclusions. I do not tell people to be vegan. I show and explain to them what is happening to animals. It's not difficult to see that they are treated cruelly. When people realise that is the case, and that they have the power to stop some of that cruelty, we hope that they take the next step and do so.
Many people make the change, but sadly also many do not stick to it. Overall, the number of vegans and vegetarians are increasing, but so are the number of animals being killed. Progress is slow, but the world would not be able to handle rapid progress anyway.