Nazareth College’s Foreign Languages and Literatures department and the Maison Française launch the 2019 10th Annual poetry, music and dance contest on Thursday, November 14, to honor the life of Martin Luther King on his 90th birthday. The event is free and open to the public, and takes place at the Nazareth College Golisano Academic Center’s Linehan Chapel. Nazareth is located at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y., 14618. For more information please contact: mlebret5@naz.edu, or call (650) 644-8600.
The theme chosen this year is “The Dream” or “Le Rêve” in honor of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King. As a continued source of inspiration for youth and peace activists around the world, MLK will be the leading political and poetical figure of the 2019 edition of the competition.
High school, college students, and community participants from the Rochester area will prepare their own poem, song, choreography, or instrumental piece (original or existing creation) that speak of peace and justice, and perform it at the event.
Kathryn Jospé, a poet, docent, and former French teacher, will give the keynote's address titled: Poetry as Champion of Diversity, Cannon for the Dream of Peaceful Interconnection, to open the evening on the power of art to express, convince and engage. Jospé has published five books of poetry. She leads two weekly poetry appreciation classes, and offers courses at Writers and Books. Since 1998, she has been a docent at the Memorial Art Gallery, and enjoys presenting lectures on “Ekphrastics” guiding people to see how art and word invite the imagination.
Lisa Durant-Jones, associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Nazareth College will give the welcoming remarks. Alisa Belanger, French teacher at Mercy High School for Young Women and vice-president of Alliance française de Rochester, will deliver the concluding remarks.
Sponsors:
The event is sponsored by the Nazareth College Foreign Languages and Literatures Department, the French Club, the French House, the Center for Civic Engagement, the Center for Service-Learning, the Center for Spirituality, the Religious Studies Department, Students Activities; and co-sponsored by Alliance Française de Rochester; with the support of community partners: the American Association of Teachers of French - Rochester and Buffalo Chapters, the French Meet-up Group, and the Rennes-Rochester Sister City committee.
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | 585-389-2456 or jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.