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Literary Treasures: 21st Poet Laureate Inaugural Reading: Juan Felipe Herrera

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The following post is part of our From the Catbird Seat series, “Literary Treasures.” The monthly series champions the Library’s literary programming by highlighting audio and video recordings drawn from the Library’s extensive online collections, including the recently released Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature. The series, by showcasing the works and thoughts of some of the greatest poets and writers from the past 75 years, helps further the Library’s mission to “further the progress of knowledge and creativity for the benefit of the American people.”

Happy National Poetry Month! Aside from being our favorite month of the year, as folks share and celebrate poetry all over the nation, it is also THE month–and aptly so–of our Laureate’s closing lecture. With “Pioneers of Flower and Song,” our 21st Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera will deliver his final lecture during the evening of Wednesday, April 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Here’s what our Laureate said about his lecture in the event’s March 21st press release:

During the last 45 years, I have been blessed to have been in the circle of many young (as I was) migrant and immigrant poets-in-the-making. These poetry-makers were founders of what we can call the Flower and Song Chicana and Chicano Poetry Movement. Who were they? Where did they forge their words? Why would they take up such an impossible project? Their leaping, experimental, daring and compassionate strides pulled me toward Flor y Canto (flower and song), the place of full being and of becoming a poet.

So: in light of it being both National Poetry Month and Herrera’s final lecture, I decided to bring things full circle by choosing Herrera’s inaugural reading as this month’s featured webcast. View it below. If it’s any indication of how his final lecture will be, well, we’re in for a real treat.

Are you planning to attend the Herrera’s final lecture? The event listing is below. Click here to view other event listings like it.


Wednesday, April 13, 7:00 PM
POET LAUREATE CLOSING EVENT

21st Poet Laureate Consultant Juan Felipe Herrera will celebrate the conclusion of his term of his laureateship. This event is free and open to the public. Book sales and signing will follow. Co-sponsored by the Library of Congress Hispanic Division.

Location: Coolidge Auditorium, Ground Floor, Thomas Jefferson Building <view map>
Contact: (202) 707-5394


See you there!