March 26, 2013 (REVISED April 26, 2013) Igniting Conversations, Illuminating Minds at the Library of Congress

From April 29-May 2, 2013, the Library of Congress will host a weeklong series of lectures, panels and presentations under the theme of “Igniting Conversations, Illuminating Minds.” The events—sponsored by the Library’s Center for the Book, European Division, John W. Kluge Center, Law Library, and Poetry and Literature Center—will feature experts and notable thinkers in the areas of history, law, culture and public affairs.

• Monday, April 29, Jefferson Building Room 119, noon Author Vladimir Tismaneanu on “The Devil in History: Communism, Fascism and Some Lessons of the Twentieth Century”
• Tuesday, April 30, Jefferson Building Room 119, 3 p.m. John Witte Jr., Maguire Chair at the John W. Kluge Center, on “Why Two in One Flesh: The Western Case for Monogamy over Polygamy”
• Wednesday, May 1, Madison Building Mumford Room 1 p.m. A Law Day panel: “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All,” with Theodore Shaw, Risa Goluboff, Carrie Johnson, Kirk Rascoe and Jeffrey Rosen
• Wednesday, May 1, Jefferson Building, Coolidge Auditorium 7 p.m. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey on “Necessary Utterance: Poetry as a Cultural Force” plus a 4 p.m. poetry reading on the subject featuring poets Marilyn Chin, Brenda Shaughnessy, Patricia Smith, Brian Turner and Kevin Young
• Thursday, May 2, Jefferson Building Room 119, 4 p.m. Will I. Hitchcock, Kissinger Chair at the John W. Kluge Center, on “The Ike Age: Eisenhower, America and the World of the 1950s”

All events are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. The Thomas Jefferson Building is located at 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C, and the James Madison Memorial Building is located at 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

The Library of Congress, the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, is the world’s preeminent reservoir of knowledge, providing unparalleled integrated resources to Congress and the American people. The Library serves the public, scholars, Members of Congress and their staffs—all of whom seek information, understanding and inspiration. Many of the Library’s resources and treasures may also be accessed through the Library’s website at www.loc.gov.