Maine Humanities Council

Wonder what writers really think about? Get ready for a literary extravaganza! The Maine Festival of the Book, brought to you by Maine Reads brings together writers and readers to enjoy readings, panel discussions, book signings, and performances. With the exception of Opening Night and Youth Outreach, festival events are first-come, first-served, un-ticketed seating, and are free. Almost 2000 people attended this year’s three-day event. In its four years of existence, the Maine Festival of the Book has featured more than 200 authors, including four Pulitzer Prize winners.

For more information about The Maine Festival of the Book and to join the mailing list for 2011, check out Maine Read’s website.

This lectured entitled “The Reawakening of Ayn Rand” featured Anne C. Heller, author of Ayn Rand and the World She Made, offers a new perspective on the novelist-philosopher’s life and work and why she is still popular today.

The Maine Festival of the Book is an annual festival brought to you by Maine Reads with support from the Maine Humanities Council.

The Reawakening of Ayn Rand [ 57:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3511)

David Carey, Jr. is an associate professor of History and Women’s Studies at the University of Southern Maine. He holds a Ph.D. in Latin American Studies from Tulane University; his publications include Ojer taq tzijob’äl kichin ri Kaqchikela’ Winaqi’ (A History of the Kaqchikel People) (Q’anilsa Ediciones, 2004) and Engendering Mayan History: Mayan Women as Agents and Conduits of the Past, 1875-1970 (Routledge, 2006).Professor Carey is the second in our series of podcasts from our December, 2009 event: Cuban Exceptionalism: Reflections on Latin American History. This one day event examined the colonial history of Cuba, the Revolution and the post-revolution era of the region. Professor Carey’s lecture entitled Cuba and the United States, informs us on Portland’s important connection with Cuba at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Professor Carey’s lecture was part of the Cuban Exceptionalism symposium which took place on December 4, 2009 in the Albert Brenner Glickman Library at the University of Southern Maine.

Cuba and the United States [ 15:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2981)

Listen to the inaugural event that launched the new minor of Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Studies at the University of Maine, Augusta. This program was hosted by the Director, Abraham Peck at the Michael Klahr Center in Augusta. The panel discussion: First Mainers and New Mainers was part of a project entitled The Dignity of Difference: First Mainers and New Mainers that allowed Maine’s First Nations and Maine’s most recent immigrants and refugee communities the opportunity to showcase their cultures, history and communities to the broader UMA and Central Maine populations. This panel was moderated by Reza Jalali and included Ismail Ahmed, Paul Bisulca, Grace Valenzuela and Pious Ali all leaders in their communities.

For more information on the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Studies minor please visit their website. This program was made possible through a Community Outreach grant from the Maine Humanities Council.

First Mainers and New Mainers [ 1:16:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6156)