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Connecticut Center for the
Book Ready to Launch World of Words 2002
Programs, Events, and Contest Celebrate National Origins
Connecticut Center for the Book’s fourth annual World of Words (WOW) initiative will begin one month from today at public libraries throughout the state and will run through the month of April. The purpose of this program is to learn about Connecticut’s literary and cultural roots while exploring our ethnic similarities and differences through exhibitions, author events, films and videos, hands-on workshops, storytelling, lectures, book discussions and displays, games, literary readings promoted as "Telling Passages," music and dance programs, and culinary offerings. Diane Smith—host of the morning show on WTIC NewsTalk 1080, host and producer of "Positively Connecticut" on CPTV, and author—is the Honorary Chairperson of World of Words. While most libraries choose countries that reflect their own constituencies, others are inspired by unfamiliar territory. Nations and regions being celebrated this year, and the libraries promoting them are: Caribbean (Hartford Public Library, 860.543.8656), France (Enfield Public Library, 860.763.7510), Germany (Derby Public Library, 203.736.1482), India (South Windsor Public Library, 860.644.1541), Ireland (Fairfield Public Library, 203.256.3155), Italy (The Ferguson Library, Stamford, 203.964.1000), Japan (Windsor Public Library, 860.285.1910), Peru (Bridgeport Public Library, 203.576.7777), Poland (New Britain Public Library, 860.224.3155), Scotland (Wallingford Public Library, 203.265.6754), Spain (Farmington Library, 860.673.6791). In 2000, a contest was developed for students in grades 6 – 12. "Why We Came and What We Brought" seeks to encourage children to learn from their families why and how they came to live into the United States. Whether because of political torture, enslavement, economic incentive, or romance, all of these children will have taken time to consider their personal stories, which, together, combine to make Connecticut’s story, and ultimately, America’s story. One of this year’s entrants, seventh grader Maureen Mihalik of Saint Francis Middle School in New Britain, wrote, "My Grandmother went through a lot to get us where we are now. I could never thank my Grandmother more than by writing this essay about her." Faculty members of the Office of International Affairs at the University of Connecticut at Storrs who will judge this year’s essays are Julia Barstow, Ph.D., Kristin Jannke DeMuzzio, and Barbara Rosen, Ph.D. Cash awards will be presented to the first, second and third place winners in each of the two levels, grades 6-8 and 9-12. As in past years, there will be an official opening program at the State Capitol for the World of Words effort. Invitations to the 5 April program are going out to municipal and State officials, directors of participating libraries, cultural leaders, and Consulates of nations being celebrated. Connecticut Master Teaching Artist and Center Advisory Council member Raouf Mama, Ph.D., will be the master of ceremonies. Winners of the student essay contest will also be invited to this program. In accepting our invitation to attend the opening program, Shashi U. Tripathi, Consul General of India in New York wrote, "The WOW program is an initiative that deserves to be encouraged, applauded and emulated." All World of Words programs are free and open to the public, although some may require advance registration. Please call the individual libraries or watch for publicity with more information on WOW programs and events. Please call 860.543.8656 for any other information about Connecticut Center for the Book programs.
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