A lot of events are going on in June that focus on history and community. Right now, I am promoting Bloomsday, Sunday, June 16, the annual holiday that celebrates the novel "Ulysses" by James Joyce because WE NEED READERS for the event.
Now, let's be honest. "Ulysses" is the most famous novel ever written that very few people have actually managed to read. More people have read about the novel than have actually read it. Reading this novel is mandatory to include on bucket lists along with swimming with sharks.
I was "afraid" to get involved in a Bloomsday event in the past because I've started the novel at least four times in earnest and I've only completed the first chapter so far. (I have managed to read some other Joyce-related stuff – "The Dubliners" short stories are a great place to start, the nuns had us reading those in high school English classes, plus there are many study guides on "Ulysses" and loads of info on James Joyce).
It's a really tough novel to get through, and Joyce did that on purpose. He said, “I’ve put in so many enigmas and puzzles that it will keep the professors busy for centuries arguing over what I meant, and that’s the only way of insuring one’s immortality.”
Around the world, Bloomsday is celebrated. In Dublin, Ireland, where "Ulysses" takes place, people go around visiting all the sites of the action in the novel, and re-enactments are the big thing.
When I was in Dublin, I did visit some of the sites, like the Martello tower where the story begins (so I can picture chapter 1 – four times), but I was not there on Bloomsday. Bloomsday is named for one of the characters, Leopold Bloom, and all the action takes place on one day, June 16, 1904, thus the date.
Beverly/Morgan Park/Mt. Greenwood will have a Bloomsday event on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Lanigan's Irish Pub at 3119 W. 111th Street, from 2 to 5 p.m. The highlights will be readings from the novel and Irish music from Pat Boarders and Pat Finnegan.
We're fortunate to have MaryAnn Ryan in our community. She has a Ph.D. in English and Irish literature and SHE HAS READ "ULYSSES" AND EVEN TAUGHT COLLEGE-LEVEL CLASSES ON THE BOOK!
Dr. Ryan is coordinating the readers for this event and has put out a call for people to contact her if interested. Believe me, you do not have to be any kind of expert to get involved in this! Mary Ann will help you pick a passage to read, and help you understand Joyce and this book.
It's loads of fun to do Bloomsday, whether you do a reading or not. The comradery is great, the music is great.
This year it falls on Father's Day, and this will be a nice alternative event for an entertaining afternoon.
Copies of "Ulysses" are available through Bookie's Chicago on 103rd and Western, and the store and Keith Lewis are co-sponsors of this event.
Also on the team is Tim Noonan, who is a champion not only of social causes in the 19th ward, but also of Irish culture. Tim ran the Bloomsday event two years ago, and brought together this year's event, also. Through him, another co-sponsor is the Ancient Order of Hibernians fraternal organization.
(By the way, Keith and Tim haven't gotten all the way through "Ulysses," either. That doesn't stop any of us from having fun at this event.)
So contact MaryAnn Ryan at ryan.maryann@gmail.com to do a reading, and plan to attend this event. There is no charge but voluntary donations to offset the costs will be very appreciated.
Bloomsday was a way of re-energizing "all things Joyce" and I know I will leave the event with new resolve to finish the novel – or at least to tackle chapter 2.
My article this week in the Beverly Review:
https://www.beverlyreview.net/news/community_news/article_2479546e-2291-11ef-91e0-73d8666dc901.html