Buffalo New York is moving to become a companion to Dublin as a center of the Joycean world.
And part of that process took place recently in the Library of Congress where Congressman Tim Kennedy, who represents New York State's second largest city in Congress, addressed a gathering that included Ireland's Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason.
The event was a preview of plans to open a museum dedicated to James Joyce in the city of Buffalo.
Other distinguished guests included University of Buffalo President Dr. Satish Tripathi, the Vice Provost Evviva Weinraub Lajoie, and renowned Joyce scholar Dr. James Maynard.
"It is an honor to join this room of incredible people here at the Library of Congress, a place that stands as a guardian of human knowledge, to celebrate a literary treasure that has found a home in Western New York," said Congressman Kennedy while standing at a podium in front of a statue of President James Madison.
Continued Congressman Kennedy: "The University at Buffalo proudly stewards one of the most extraordinary collections in the world dedicated to James Joyce – a towering figure whose work reshaped literature in the 20th century.
"The UB James Joyce Collection includes more than 10,000 pages of manuscripts, notebooks, correspondence, and personal artifacts, alongside his private library and a comprehensive body of critical scholarship. It is a living testament to the creative process of one of history’s greatest minds. For decades, this collection has drawn scholars, students, and literary enthusiasts from across the globe to Buffalo.
"But today, we are thinking even bigger. We are working to bring this collection out from behind the walls of academia and into a dynamic, public-facing space through the ongoing development of the UB James Joyce Museum, a space dedicated to inviting people from all walks of life to engage with Joyce’s legacy in new and meaningful ways.
"I am honored to have been a part of this journey, going back to my time in the New York State Senate, and am proud to continue working to advance this vision – helping secure the resources, partnerships, and visibility needed to bring it fully to life.
"The investments we are making are working to support a dedicated exhibition space, ensure the long-term preservation and growth of the collection, and establish the programming and curatorial leadership necessary to bring it to life for generations to come."
"This effort is about preserving Irish-American heritage, strengthening cultural ties across the Atlantic, and positioning Buffalo as a global destination for the arts and humanities. It is about honoring the deep roots of the Irish-American community in Western New York and sharing that story with the nation and the world.
"None of this would be possible without the leadership of UB President Dr. Satish Tripathi, the dedication of scholars like Dr. James Maynard, and the unwavering support of partners across government, academia, and the Irish-American diaspora.
"Together, we are turning a world-class archive into a world-class experience that will inspire, educate, and connect people for generations to come."
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