To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, and to remember those on both sides of the conflict, volunteers from the faculty and staff of the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina will read some of the most memorable poetry to emerge from the war.
History professor Richard Bodek will read the first poem between 12:05 and 12:15 p.m. Aug. 21, 2014, in front of the art sculpture in Cougar Mall.
A different poem will be read at the same time each Thursday throughout the fall and spring semesters. A total of 28 war poems will be read.
“We hope that passersby will stop to listen to some monumental works, and pause to reflect on the horror that is modern warfare,” says Bodek, who helped organize the readings.
Bodek said he and English professor Simon Lewis had the idea that a public reading of poetry written by combatants and civilians from both the Allies and the Central Powers would be an apt way to remind students and colleagues of the importance of the war.
The poetry readings coincide with the 2014-2015 The College Reads! book selection, The Good Soldier by David Finkel.
