Schedule of Events, 2011-2012 Season
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Unless otherwise noted, tickets to and reservations for these events are not required.
September 2011
Monday and Tuesday, September 26-27 -- LITERATURA DE CORDEL: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN BRAZILIAN POPULAR LITERATURE
This two-day symposium will examine the artistry, narrative, and iconography of cordel, a form of popular literature from northeastern Brazil. Noted scholars of cordel will be featured, as will the artistry of cordel poets, singers, and woodcut artists. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For a complete schedule, visit: http://www.loc.gov/folklife/Symposia/litcordel. Sponsored by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress is collaboration with the Library’s Hispanic Division, the Library’s overseas office in Rio de Janeiro, and the Embassy of Brazil in Washington, DC.
Location: LJ-119, Thomas Jefferson Building (first floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Friday, September 30, 4:00 PM
PRESENTATION OF GABRIELA MISTRAL Y LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS
Gerardo Piña Rosales, editor and president of the Academy of Spanish Language in the United States, joins poet Louis Alberto Ambroggio and writer Emilio Bernal Labrada in a discussion of the new biography. This event is free and open to the public, and will be in Spanish. Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building (third floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-6404
Friday, September 30, 7:30 PM (Providence, Rhode Island)
POETRY ON THE PAGE: A READING BY FORREST GANDER
Forrest Gander, recipient of the Library of Congress’s 14th annual Witter Bynner Poetry Fellowship, reads his poetry. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.
Location: Fleet Library, Rhode Island School of Design, 15 Westminster Street
Contact: (202) 707-5394
October 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 7:00 PM
PANEL DISCUSSSION: FRONTERA SIN FRONTERA
A panel discussing the poetry traditions of the United States and Mexico, and the ways they interrelate and reflect upon each other. Featuring translator Jeannette Clariond, translator and poet Mónica de la Torre, scholar Rafael Pérez-Torres, and poet Pedro Serrano, and moderated by poet Luis Alberto Ambroggio. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress and presented in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute.
Location: Mumford Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Friday, October 7, Noon
POST-INDEPENDENCE AFRICAN LITERATURE: ALI MAZRUI
Noted scholar and political writer Ali Mazrui discusses the state of contemporary African culture, including poetry and literature. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress and the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.
Location: African/Middle Eastern Reading Room, Thomas Jefferson Building (2nd Floor)
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Wednesday, October 12, 7:00 PM
CONTEMPORARY POETRY FROM CHINA: A READING AND DISCUSSION
Chinese poets Xi Chuan and Zhou Zan join Michael Wiegers, executive editor of Copper Canyon Press and special guest Carolyn Forché, for a reading and discussion on the forthcoming anthology Push Open the Window: Contemporary Poetry from China. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Asian Division of the Library of Congress and presented in partnership with Copper Canyon Press and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Location: Mumford Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Monday, October 17, 7:00 PM
POET LAUREATE READING
Philip Levine, the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress, will kick off the Library’s literary season with a reading. This event is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will follow.
Location: Coolidge Auditorium, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707- 5394
Monday, October 24, Noon
ASIAN-AMERICAN POETRY TODAY: EILEEN TABIOS
Filipino-American poet Eileen Tabios reads from her work, followed by a moderated discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Asian Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building (third floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Tuesday, October 25, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: JOHN BERRYMAN
Poets Mary Jo Bang and Michael Collier celebrate the birthday of American poet John Berryman by reading selections from his work and discussing his influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a display from the Library’s collections. Co-sponsored by the Rare Books and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
November 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 7:00 PM (Seattle, Washington)
ROBERT BRINGHURST READING
Robert Bringhurst, recipient of the Library of Congress’s 14th annual Witter Bynner Poetry Fellowship, reads his poetry. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.
Location: Microsoft Auditorium, Central Library, Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave.
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Wednesday, November 16, 6:00 PM
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS AND WRITERS: SUSAN KIGULI
To celebrate the African Studies Association Annual meeting, Ugandan poet and ASA Presidential Fellow Susan Kiguli reads her own work, with a moderated discussion to follow. This event is free and open to the public. A reception will precede the program. Co-sponsored by the African and Middle Eastern Division and the John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress, and the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, and with the generous support of Chevron.
Location: Mumford Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Tuesday, November 29, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
Authors Jo Ann Beard and Maud Casey celebrate the birthday of American author Louisa May Alcott by reading selections from her work and discussing her influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a display from the Library’s collections. Co-sponsored by the Rare Books and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
December 2011
Thursday, December 15, Noon
KLUGE CENTER RESIDENT SCHOLAR LECTURE
Bavarian Fellow Sascha Pöhlmann will present a talk on “Walt Whitman’s Future-Founding Poetry.” Sponsored by the John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-3302
Tuesday, December 20, Noon
KLUGE CENTER RESIDENT SCHOLAR LECTURE
Black Mountain Fellow Kelle Groom will present a talk on “The Quiet People (Hiljainen Kansa): A Memoir.” Sponsored by the John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-3302
January 2012
Friday, January 27, 6:30 PM
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE: ODYSSEAS ELYTIS AND THE HISPANIC WORLD
Pedro Serrano, Mexican translator, poet, and critic, joins Dominican poet and critic Rei Berroa in a discussion of the influence of Nobel Laureate Odysseas Elytis on Hispanic poetry and culture. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: West Dining Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
February 2012
Wednesday, February 1, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: LANGSTON HUGHES
Poets Dolores Kendrick and Evie Shockley celebrate the birthday of American poet Langston Hughes by reading selections from his work and discussing his influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a display from the Library’s collections. Co-sponsored by the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact:(202) 707-5394
Friday, February 3, 12:30 PM (Andrews Base Library, Maryland)
PIZZA AND POETRY
Jehanne Dubrow reads and discusses Stateside, which lyrically details the experiences of a military wife. This event is free and open to military and civilian DoD personnel. It is suggested, but not required that guests RSVP at (301) 981-6454. Lunch will be provided and a book signing will follow. Co sponsored by Andrews Air Force Base and the Federal Library and Information Central Committee at the Library of Congress.
Location: Andrews Base Library, Building 1642 Brookley Ave. & D Street
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Thursday, February 23, 7 PM (Los Angeles, California)
POET LAUREATE READING
Philip Levine, the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress, will read a selection from his poetry. This event is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the ALOUD Series and the Library of Congress Center for the Book.
Location: Los Angeles Central Library, 630 W. 5th Street
Contact: (202) 707-5394
March 2012
Thursday, March 1, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: RALPH ELLISON
Writers Danielle Evans and Jabari Asim celebrate the birthday of American author Ralph Ellison by reading selections from his work and discussing his influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a display from the Library’s collections. Co-sponsored by the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Friday, March 16, Noon
LECTURE: THE FAULKNER AND HEMINGWAY LITERARY RIVALRY
Scholar Joseph Fruscione discusses the literary rivalry of the great American authors Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Humanities and Social Science Division of the Library of Congress. For more information, read the news release.
Location: Dining Room A, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 8 PM (Georgetown University)
LATINO/A POETRY NOW: William Archila and Ruth Irupé Sanabria
As part of a national tour celebrating emerging Latina/o poets, this event will feature the first and second place winners of the 2010 International Latino Book Awards. Co-sponsored by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress and presented in partnership with Letras Latinas, Lannan Center for Poetics and Social Practice at Georgetown University, and the Poetry Society of America.
Location: Copley Formal Lounge, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets, NW
Contact: (202) 687-6294
Monday, March 26, 6:30 PM
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: TENNESSEE WILLIAMS
William Jay Smith, former Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress, reads from his memoir My Friend Tom about American playwright Tennessee Williams, on Williams’ birthday. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a display from the Library’s collections.
Location: Montpelier Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
April 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 4:00 PM
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS AND WRITERS
South African poet and political activist Keorapetse Kgositsile discusses the state of contemporary African culture, including poetry and literature. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress and the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.
Location: Montpelier Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Wednesday, April 4, Noon
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS AND WRITERS
Writer and journalist Donato Ndongo, from Equatorial Guinea, will read from his novel Shadows of Your Black Memory. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress and the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.
Location: LJ-220, Thomas Jefferson Building (second floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Thursday, April 5, 6:30 PM
WITTER BYNNER READING
Philip Levine, the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry will introduce L. S. Asekoff and Sheila Black as this year’s winners of the Library of Congress’s Witter Bynner Fellowship. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Read the news release announcing this year's winners
Location: Montpelier Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Friday, April 13, 2:00 PM
ASIAN-AMERICAN POETRY TODAY: GARRETT HONGO
Japanese-American poet Garrett Hongo reads his work, followed by a moderated discussion. This event is free and open to the public. Books sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Asian Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Wednesday, April 18, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
The actors of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Academy for Classical Acting at the George Washington University celebrate the birthday of William Shakespeare with a recitation of Shakespeare’s greatest works. This event is free and open to the public. Presented in collaboration with the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Location: Montpelier Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Monday, April 23, 7:00 PM
RIVER OF WORDS AWARDS CEREMONY
River of Words awards ceremony for winners and finalists of the 2010-2011 environmental poetry and art contest for young people. Hosted by Robert Hass, U.S. Poet Laureate 1995-1997. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.
Location: Montpelier Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Thursday, April 26, Noon
BOOKS AND BEYOND: THE OTHER LATIN@
As part of the Books and Beyond series, Letras Latinas Director Francisco Aragón will moderate a noontime panel in the Pickford Theater featuring poet Blas Falconer and writer Lorraine López, co-editors of the recent anthology The Other Latin@: Writing Against a Singular Identity, who will discuss the contemporary state of Latino literature. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book and Hispanic Division, and presented in collaboration with Letras Latinas and the University of Arizona Press.
Location: Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building (third floor) <view map> Contact: (202) 707-5394
Thursday, April 26, 6:30 PM
LITERATURE IN CONVERSATION: BLAS FALCONER AND LORRAINE LÓPEZ
Authors Blas Falconer and Lorraine López will read selections from their works. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for the Book and Hispanic Division, and presented in collaboration with Letras Latinas and the University of Arizona Press.
Location: Mumford Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
May 2012
Tuesday, May 1, Noon
CONVERSATIONS WITH AFRICAN POETS AND WRITERS
Award-winning Nigerian author Helon Habila will read from his novel “Oil on Water” and discuss the anthology “The Granta Book of the African Short Story.” This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress and the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.
Location: LJ-220, Thomas Jefferson Building (second floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Wednesday, May 2, 6:30 PM
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE: KARL OVE KNAUSGAARD
Norwegian novelist Karl Ove Knausgaard reads selections from his novel "My Struggle: Book One" and discusses the state of contemporary Norwegian literature. This event is free and open to the public. Guests should RSVP at (202) 707-5395. Books sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the European Division of the Library of Congress and presented in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy.
Location: Madison Hall, James Madison Building (first floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Thursday, May 3, 7:00 PM
POET LAUREATE FINAL EVENT
Philip Levine, the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress, will conclude the Library’s literary spring season. This event is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will follow.
Location: Coolidge Auditorium, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707- 5394
Friday, May 4, 3:00 PM
POET LAUREATE VIDEO CONFERENCE
Philip Levine, the 18th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress, will connect with high schools and public libraries via video conference to read and discuss three of his poems: “Our Valley,” “The Simple Truth,” and “What Work Is.” The reading and discussion will be followed by an extended question and answer period with video conference participants. Read more details about the video conference [PDF]
Viewing the Event: This event will be streamed live on the Web. Follow this link on Friday, at 3:00 pm (Eastern Time), to watch the event live.
Wednesday, May 9, 10:00 AM (US Naval Observatory, Washington, DC)
POETRY AND THE STARS
Poet Elizabeth Arnold will read from her own work as well as favorite poems with astronomical themes. A moderated discussion will follow. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by U. S. Naval Observatory and the Federal Library and Information Network at the Library of Congress.
Please Note: Attendees must register by May 4, 2012. Attendees may register by e-mailing Sally Bosken at sally.bosken@navy.mil, with their name and birth date, to be on the gate access list. Guests not on the list will not be admitted.
Location: The United States Naval Observatory, 3450 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20392 <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Tuesday, May 15, 6:30 PM
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE: HERTA MÜLLER READING
Nobel Laureate Herta Müller will read from her work, followed by a conversation with Georgetown University Professor Peter Pfeiffer. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the European Division of the Library of Congress, and presented in collaboration with the Goethe Institute.
Location: Montpelier Room, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Thursday, May 31, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: WALT WHITMAN
Poets Joshua Beckman and Stanley Plumly celebrate the birthday of American poet Walt Whitman by reading selections from his work and discussing his influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building (ground floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
June 2012
Thursday, June 7, Noon
LITERARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: GWENDOLYN BROOKS
Poets Kyle Dargan and Janice Harrington celebrate the birthday of American poet Gwendolyn Brooks by reading selections from her work and discussing her influence on their own writing. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress.
Location: Dining Room A, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
Wednesday, June 13, 1:00 PM
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE: LÁSZLÓ KRASZNAHORKAI READING
Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai will read from his recently translated novel, Sátántangó, and discuss the state of contemporary Hungarian literature. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and a signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the European Division of the Library of Congress, and presented in collaboration with New Directions Publishing.
Location: Dining Room A, James Madison Building (sixth floor) <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394
