The cover of the first edition of “Ulysses”
By Irish Echo Staff
As has been the case for some time with St. Patrick’s Day, the celebration of Bloomsday is reaching beyond its actual calendar date.
June 16 is the date in the James Joyce classic “Ulysses” that Leopold Bloom makes famous in literature and beyond.
This year, however, the celebration of all things Joyce will begin in New York on Tuesday, June 13 when the Irish American Bar Association holds its 8th Annual Bloomsday Celebration at Federal Hall on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.
The keynote speaker at the gathering will be David McCraw, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of the New York Times.
The event starts at 6.30 p.m.
The event, according to the IABA, will be bookended with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, and will also feature an exhibit entitled “A Twitterized Tribute to Banned Books."
Said a release: “Park Rangers will graciously be present to give tours of this historic building during the pre-and post-receptions.
“We look forward to your joining us for a memorable evening celebrating literature, the First Amendment, and the kinship between the United States and the countries from which we all came or descend.
“We hope you will join us when we honor one of Ireland’s greatest writers and his contribution to the cornerstone of democracy.”
Meanwhile, on Bloomsday itself, one of the standout events in New York this year, as in years past, will be Bloomsday on Broadway at Symphony Space.
This year’s will be number 36 for the signature celebration of Joyce and his most acclaimed tome.
Said the organizers in a release: “For over a decade, Joyce’s great work was famously banned throughout the United States.
“This year's Bloomsday will feature a whirlwind tour of Ulysses with, authors, actors and devoted Joyceans performing readings from the offensive, subversive, obscene, political, sexual and heretical elements of Joyce's groundbreaking and sensational novel.
“The evening will also bring to life the court battles banning Ulysses and the impassioned efforts of those to praise, condemn, save or destroy Joyce's contentious book.”
