2004 programs and events

Jay Parini of Middlebury Addresses American Studies Conference in Minsk

U.S. Speaker Jay Parini, Professor of English at Middlebury College, gave a keynote address on "The Sense of Place in William Faulkner's Works" at the American Studies Conference hosted by the Belarusian State Pedagogical University on May 13. During his four-day program in Minsk, Parini delivered a series of guest lectures on Robert Frost, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner and other prominent U.S. writers to American studies and literature students at Belarus' leading state and private universities and high schools. The Speaker also shared his own literary accomplishments at a poetry reading organized by PAS Minsk at the American Corner of the Regional Public Library named after Pushkin.

Over 200 scholars and students of American literature from the capital city as well as American Studies conference participants from all over Belarus and neighboring countries were provided with an opportunity to get unique insights into 20th century American literature and current literary criticism.