The Big Read is a project of the National Endowment for the Arts to provide communities nationwide with the opportunity to read, discuss, and celebrate a selection from U.S. and world literature. This year, Montclair Public Library is participating and invites you to join in.
MPL is one of 77 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a grant from Arts Midwest to host a Big Read project between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read in Montclair will focus on Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies, with activities taking place between September 15 and October 26.
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez transports us to the Dominican Republic in the mid-twentieth century when the country struggled under the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. A work of historical fiction, the novel honors the lives of Patria, Minerva, and MarÃa Teresa Mirabal, who became icons of freedom and women’s rights when they were assassinated in the autumn of 1960 for their role in the underground movement against Trujillo’s regime.
The library will host a kick-off event on Saturday, September 20 and wrap up the literacy campaign with a virtual talk by Julia Alvarez in late October. Throughout the campaign, MPL will partner with Montclair High School to have its Honors Spanish students read In the Time of the Butterflies in Spanish.Â
Along with adult, young adult and ESL book discussions and author events, the library will provide programming based on the thematic, cultural and historical aspects of the novel. Activities include a healthy Latin cuisine demonstration provided by Whole Foods, a merengue dance class, a screening of the film based on the novel, citizenship classes and a Montclair State University Spanish guitar ensemble.
See the schedule of events below:
BOOK DISCUSSIONS
EVENTS
The Big Read Kick-offSaturday, 9/20 from 1 to 4 pmMain Library AuditoriumTo kick off The Big Read, the library will host a launch reception with Latin music, cuisine, readings of the novel, crafts in the Children’s Room, and more. Healthy Latin CuisineWednesday, 9/24 at 7 pmMain Library AuditoriumA Whole Foods healthy eating specialist will give a cooking demonstration on healthy Latin American cuisine. Merengue Dance LessonSaturday, 9/27 at 3 pmMain Library AuditoriumArthur Miller Dance Studio of Montclair will provide a merengue dance instruction class. With the Author: Myriam AlvarezWednesday, 10/1 at 7 pmMain Library AuditoriumAs part of the library’s With the Author series, local author Myriam Alvarez will read from and discuss her novel Flowers in the Dust. Spanish Guitar ConcertWednesday, 10/8 at 7 pmMain Library AuditoriumAs part of a music series in partnership with Montclair State University, students will give a Spanish guitar performance. In the Time of the Butterflies Film ScreeningSaturday, 10/11 at 2 pmMain Library AuditoriumThe library will screen the film In the Time of the Butterflies, followed by an open discussion of themes throughout the novel and film. The film is rated PG-13.            Â