The Academy of American Poets in New York City and Berkeley Books of Paris are pleased to present a series of readings by American poets in Paris. The fall series is a pilot project between the New York City-based cultural organization and the independent bookstore.
"It was after our founder Marie Bullock studied in Paris and returned to New York that she determined to assist and promote American poets. Berkeley Books has been a hub for American poets in Paris and we're excited for this trans-Atlantic collaboration," said Jennifer Benka, executive director of the Academy.
"There is a long tradition of American poets crossing oceans to find refuge and make art in Paris. Berkeley Books, inspired by Sylvia Beach's pioneering work in the early part of the 20th century, aims to be that refuge and more," said Phyllis Cohen, owner of Berkeley Books. "In its ten years of life so far, the shop has become a lending library for poets, a free gallery for visual artists, a tiny concert venue for musicians, and a crossroads where American and French artists meet. This fall's poetry reading series, created with the cooperation and support of the Academy of American Poets, is a new incarnation of the old crossroads. This is where an indie bookshop and an august cultural institution meet—no borders here—in support of poets. I'm proud of this collaborative effort, which is the first of its kind at Berkeley Books, and thankful to the Academy for its support of our reading series."
Poets reading are:
Cole Swensen, October 7.
Fork Burke, October 8.
Daniel Woody, November 18.
Jennifer K. Dick, December 3.
Readings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Berkeley Books is located at 8, rue Casimir Delavigne Paris, France.