May 7, 2013
A poetic tribute to Kansas' arts, people today
Kansas Poet Laureate Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg will lead a reading and discussion of the book "To the Stars Through Difficulty: A Kansas Renga in 150 Voices," from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the Meadowlark Hills Community Room, 2121 Meadowlark Road. Admission for the general public is $10 and free for students.
Based on the Kansas state motto, AdAstra Per Aspera, meaning "To the stars, through difficulties," 150 Kansas poets contributed to this renga, a form of collaborative poetry. The final product is a moving tribute to the arts and people of Kansas. Contributors from the area will read from the renga and the poet laureate will discuss the state of the arts and humanities in Kansas, which is alive and well.
Mirriam-Goldberg is the author of 14 books. She spends much of her time traveling the state to promote the arts in Kansas. Book signing and refreshments will follow the reading.
This event is part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a partnership between Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.