French lit colloquium May 19 and 20 to feature scholars from 10 countries

Cécile Hanania, an associate professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, will play host to a literature colloquium May 19 and 20 at Western Washington University.

The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Viking Union Room 565 both days.

The colloquium is devoted to Marguerite Duras (1914 – 1996), a prominent literary figure in French and Francophone studies and the author of roughly 60 books, including novels, short novels and plays. The specific topic of the conference is the comical aspects of her work. Sixteen scholars from around the world -- Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, South Korea, Russia, Sweden and the United States -- will deliver research papers.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Most of the talks and discussions will be in French. Two speakers will deliver papers in English: Noelle Giguere, from Christopher Newport University, on Thursday afternoon, and Jennifer Willging, from The Ohio State University, on Friday afternoon.

A more general session for students (provided they know some French) will take pace from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Two professors will talk about the reception of Duras in their countries, Brazil and Sweden, and students will have a chance to meet the participants and interact with them.