From Oct. 22 to 24, dozens of esteemed writers will be on campus for the 2014 Neustadt Festival. The three-day festival will celebrate the work of 2014 Neustadt Prize for Literature winner Mia Couto through roundtables, discussions and dance performances built around Couto’s work and will end with Couto’s keynote speech.
Daniel Simon, assistant director and editor-in-chief of Neustadt Prize sponsor World Literature Today, said he encourages students to attend the festival’s events and interact with Couto and the other writers who will be present.
“It is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students at OU to meet a writer like Couto. I don’t know that he’s ever been in this part of the country or that he ever will be again,” Simon said.
Here are the events that will take place this week on campus:
• Opening Night: Live Music and Readings
o Wednesday, Oct. 22
o 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
o Beaird Lounge in Oklahoma Memorial Union
o This reception will kick off the festival with live music and readings by Couto and Oklahoma writers.
• “The Birds of God” Dance Performance
o Thursday, Oct. 23
o 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
o Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center
o OU School of Dance and Drama students will perform the premiere of an adaptation of Couto’s story "The Birds of God."
• “Africa Today” Roundtable and Brown-Bag Lunch
o Thursday, Oct. 23
o Noon – 1:30 p.m.
o JJ Rhyne Community Room in Zarrow Hall
o OU faculty will discuss contemporary Africa among lunch. A brown bag lunch will be provided, but spaces are limited and reservations are required. RSVP by emailing Ronda Martin at rkmartin.ou.edu.
• “What Africa Does the African Writer Write About?” Understanding the Work of Mia Couto
o Friday, Oct. 24
o 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
o Meacham Auditorium in Oklahoma Memorial Union
o Experts in African lusophone literature from several universities will discuss Couto’s work.
• Mia Couto: The 2014 Neustadt Keynote
o Friday, Oct. 24
o 11:00 a.m. – noon
o Meacham Auditorium in Oklahoma Memorial Union
