Library to Host Community Read Satire Workshop

Tompkins County Public Library will host “Roman Carnivals:  Classical Lessons in the Art ofSatire,” a free satire writing workshop facilitated by author and professor Anthony DiRenzo, August 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room-East.

Held in conjunction with the 2014 Community Read of “Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio” by Amara Lakhous, this program will introduce participants to the fundamentals of literary satire, borrowing techniques from such classical Roman writers as Horace and Juvenal. Samplings of short readings and film clips will prompt craft discussions and writing exercises.

Winner of Italy’s prestigious Flaiano Prize, “Clash of Civilizations” uses social satire and murder mystery to tell the story of a mixed community thrown into chaos as police investigate the murder of a neighbor.

Di Renzo teaches humorous writing at Ithaca College. His books, such as “Bitter Greens: Essays on Food, Politics, and History from the Imperial Kitchen” (SUNY Press, 2010) and “Trinàcria: A Tale of Bourbon Sicily” (Guernica Editions, 2013), satirize the ongoing culture war between traditional Italian humanism and American business and technology.  As Pasquino, Rome’s legendary talking statue, Di Renzo contributes a monthly column to San Francisco's “L’Italo-Americano.”

This program is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is appreciated.  To register, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at (607) 272-4557 extension 248 or cwheeler@tcpl.org.

Now in its 13^th year, the Community Read encourages community members to experience the bond of literature by reading and discussing the same title. 

For more information, or to request free copies of the book for a book group or community agency, contact Community Read Coordinator Teresa Vadakin at (607) 272-4557 extension 272 or tvadakin@tcpl.org.