University Open Air: Enjoyment through Wandering and Wonders in the Work of People of Color
What’s the difference between joy, pleasure, and delight? Is there a connection between wonder and wandering? Let’s meander in the mind of writers of color who make room for enjoyment as well as pain in their work. Our journey starts with a flâneuse, Zadie Smith, as she wanders around Italian gardens and wonders about Joy and pleasures in the last section of her collection of essays, Feel Free. In The Book of Delights, Ross Gay walks us through small daily wonders. Finally, Chen Chen invites us through a dance between laughter and gravity in When I Grow Up I Want To Be a List of Further Possibilities. Enjoyment pervades these works through wandering, wondering, walking, and gazing. Attendants are encouraged to reflect on their favorite work that makes them experience and/or reflect on enjoyment, wandering and/or wondering. We will end with a short creative writing session.
Nadia Bongo holds a Ph.D. in French Language and Literature from Aix Marseille Université. She taught French Language, Literature, and Research for the French Academy for six years. She feels fortunate to have two passions: teaching and writing. In 2018, she attended a Cave Canem workshop. In Spring 2021, Nadia was a Brooklyn Poets fellow. Her work has appeared in the NYPL zine, Newtown Literary, Brooklyn Poets website, Litro magazine, and elsewhere.
*In cases of rain, classes will be canceled. Registered patrons will be notified by email on the morning of each course day and are also encouraged to check the UOA webpage and BPL Presents’ Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.
University Open Air is generously supported by The Morris & Alma Schapiro Fund.
101 East Drive
Brooklyn, NY 11225
What’s the difference between joy, pleasure, and delight? Is there a connection between wonder and wandering? Let’s meander in the mind of writers of color who make room for enjoyment as well as pain in their work. Our journey starts with a flâneuse, Zadie Smith, as she wanders around Italian gardens and wonders about Joy and pleasures in the last section of her collection of essays, Feel Free. In The Book of Delights, Ross Gay walks us through small daily wonders. Finally, Chen Chen invites us through a dance between laughter and gravity in When I Grow Up I Want To Be a List of Further Possibilities. Enjoyment pervades these works through wandering, wondering, walking, and gazing. Attendants are encouraged to reflect on their favorite work that makes them experience and/or reflect on enjoyment, wandering and/or wondering. We will end with a short creative writing session.
Brooklyn Public Library - Virtual MM/DD/YYYY 60