Walcott Reading and Reception
A robust, standing-room only crowd packed into the Salter Library on Monday, October 17th, 2011 for the farewell reading by the University of Alberta's inaugural Distinguished Visiting Scholar and Nobel Laureate, Derek Walcott, whose three-year term came to an end this week.
After a reading, book-ended by poems of tribute to Joseph Brodsky, Walcott graciously answered questions, signed books, and posed for numerous facebook-bound photo opportunities. The appreciative crowd included students, several local authors, faculty from English and Film Studies, MLCS, Political Science, and Women's Studies, as well as members of the general public.
A wine and cheese reception in honor of Derek Walcott followed the reading in the third-floor foyer, where fond farewells with the Laureate continued over appetizing treats.
Thanks to everyone who came out and made this a very special event!
Christine Wiesenthal
Chair, Writer-in-Residence/Visiting Readers Committee