Westport Library Announces Launch Of 2019 WestportREADS

WESTPORT, CT - From the Westport Library: The Westport Library is pleased to announce the launch of its annual WestportREADS program. This year’s selection is Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. The novel isan award-winning book that follows two refugees who, against all odds, find life and love on the run. Forced out of their country by civil war, this moving story celebrates love, courage, family and the fierceness of the human spirit. The WestportREADS program is funded by the generosity of the estate of Jerry A. Tishman.

Today’s announcement kicks off a month of programming running into February hosted by the Library including book discussions, films, workshops and other events. The month of programming encourages participants to read the book and attend programs related to the book, and the companion titles, over the course of the two months.

Below is a look at some of the programming being offered this year:

Collaborative Exhibits with Westport Historical Society: Share Your Immigration Story

This virtual representation of the patchwork history of our town that will be available through the Westport Historical Society website. Liberty to Set Down: Immigrants & Migrants in Westport will run from January 23-June 30. This exhibit at the Westport Historical Society explores how immigrants have long woven the fabric of the town. From its earliest settlement in 1648 in the parish of Greens Farms, the area that was to become Westport has been a crossroads of cultural expression.

PageTurners Book Discussion (Tuesday, January 15 at 11 am)

Discuss Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue, a story of a young Cameroonian couple making a new life in New York just as the Great Recession upends the economy.

Migration Today in the Sweep of History (Thursday, January 17 at 7 pm)

Alex Anvari of the United Nations Association Southwest CT moderates a conversation with migration experts, senior policy analyst Azrah Karim Rajput and scholar Robert Riggs. Explore the richness of global culture that occurs as a result of migrations as we discuss why people move and how these migrations effect ecosystems and countries' policies. Location: Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East

Family Art Exploration of WestportREADS Themes (Friday, January 18 at 4 pm)

Explore immigration, cultures and magical doors portrayed in works of art in this program designed to build skills in observation, critical thinking, vocabulary and art appreciation. Elementary school age & up. Register online. Community partner: Creative Connections

Neighbors & Newcomers Discussion (Thursday, January 24 at 7 pm)

Join this evening discussion of Exit West. Light refreshments served.

Author Susan Ross Introduces Kiki And Jacques (Saturday, January 26 at 3 pm)

Author and Library Trustee Susan Ross reads and discusses topics from her book, Kiki and Jacques, A Refugee Story, a WestportREADS companion book for middle grades. The book was inspired by experiences of Somali refugees in her childhood home in Maine.

Dance Around the World (Sunday, January 27 at 12:30 pm)

Learn dances that people enjoy around the world. Local instructors teach short classes of dances from Turkey, Scotland and Spain. All ages welcome. Location: StudioA/B, Westport/Weston YMCA, 14 Allen Raymond Lane

Exploring Magical Realism with We Rise Storytelling Collective (Thursday, January 31 at 7 pm)

Join We Rise Storytelling Collective for an evening of art and stories exploring magic realism, which is one of the storytelling techniques used by Mohsin Hamid in Exit West. Location: The Westport Woman's Club, 44 Imperial Avenue

The Refugee Experience (Thursday, February 7 at 7 pm)

A Syrian refugee family, sponsored by members of the Westport community, describe their immigrant journey. Partners: TEAM Westport & the Westport/Weston Interfaith Council

Music from the New World Chorus (Sunday, February 10 at 2 pm)

Enjoy voices from diverse backgrounds and traditions from this choir under the direction of founder, composer and music director Beth Styles and choir director Jason L. Terry. Benefactor: The Shack Sackler Foundation Partner & location: Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East

Artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg on “Stranger Visions” (Wednesday, February 13 at 7 pm)

Heather Dewey-Hagborg discusses her project in which she created portrait sculptures from analyses of the broad range of genetic material (hair, cigarette butts, chewed-up gum) collected from public places. Partner: Westport Arts Advisory Committee Partner & location: Westport Arts Center, 51 Riverside Avenue

Explore Your Genealogy (Saturday, February 23 at 10 am)

Learn how to research your family background.

These are just some of the programs offered for this year’s WestportREADS including book discussion books, films and more. Copies of Exit West will be available at the Library. Companion books for children are: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi, Kiki and Jacques by Susan Ross, Someone New by Anne O’Brien Sibley and The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates.

To request a discussion leader for your group, contact Kathleen Malloy at kmalloy@westportlibrary.org.For more information on WestportREADS, contact Jennifer Keller atjkeller@westportlibrary.org and for a complete listing of all WestportREADS 2019 programming, please visit westportlibrary.org.

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