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LAWRENCE -- Lawrence and the University of Kansas are celebrating the life and work of Langston Hughes, America's premier public poet, in recognition of the centennial of his birth. The symposium (Jan. and Feb. 7-10) will honor the late African-American poet's life in Lawrence, where he spent much of his childhood. Hughes has been called the most original, most representative of African American writers. The symposium will be a stage for renowned scholars from the United States and abroad to present fresh and illuminating perspectives on Hughes and his legacy.
Exhibits in Spencer Research Library ("A Voice for All People" by Sheryl Williams) and in Watson Library ("Let America Be America Again" by Faye Christenberry) will highlight Langston Hughes' works and feature items from the libraries' collections.
"Langston Hughes: A Voice for All People" is on display through May 15 at the exhibition gallery in Kenneth Spencer Research Library. The exhibit features items from the Hughes collection, which contains more than 300 pieces. Approximately 80 items will be on display, including an autographed publication with a 1933 photo of Hughes taken during a visit to the Soviet Union. The libraries began collecting publications, books, manuscripts, sound recordings and other examples of Hughes memorabilia in 1957. Former dean of libraries Bob Vosper played an active role in acquiring materials from Hughes, who began inscribing and sending items to add to the collections. This also led to Hughes' first visit to speak at KU in 1958.
"Let America Be America Again" is on display in Watson Library through Feb. 17. The materials in the exhibit are primarily those by or about Langston Hughes. Four cases contain works by Hughes, including one that focuses on music and the performing arts. Another case is devoted to important secondary sources about Hughes and includes major biographies by Arnold Rampersad, James Haskins and Faith Berry. Also featured are some of the publications by writers Alice Walker and Ishmael Reed, who will participate in the Hughes symposium, and by other important authors, such as Paule Marshall, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Kevin Powell and Robert Pinsky.
Program details, registration information and a full list of speakers are available online or at KU Continuing Education, (785) 864-5823.
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