#Fulbright

#Fulbright

Open Lectures & Teaching in Minsk

Open Lectures & Teaching in Minsk

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NOTE: Unfortunately, I just realized that I never published this page. So I am updating it a bit before publishing it… I had the privilege of giving an open lecture series on the Renaissances of American Literature at Belarusian State University during the last of October and part of November. Some people here in Belarus know little about American culture, and others surprise me with how much they know. Included in this series are the following topics and Belarusian responses. (All dates are approximate, of course, and many of these movements had “second waves.” I invite any reader to fight with me about this!) AMERICAN RENAISSANCE (IN LITERATURE), 1830-1860 Of the “Big Five,” (the dead white men F.O. Mattheissen enshrined … Continued
Teaching American Literature in Minsk (in English!)

Teaching American Literature in Minsk (in English!)

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I don’t just travel to amazing places here in Belarus! I also teach and otherwise engage with the academic community here. Note: This report was demanded — I mean, requested — by my dean. I aim to please! Where do I teach? While I am visiting other places during the Fulbright, most of my teaching/presenting takes place in Minsk. My primary assignment is teaching at Belarusian State University. The dean of the combined faculties of philology, Ivan Semenovich Rovdo, is an affable older gentleman who knows some English and was happy that I spoke slowly enough and without a strong accent so that it was easy for him to understand me. He was impressed (or horrified!) that I am accompanied here … Continued
ENGINE, ENGINE, NUMBER NINE, GOING DOWN MINSK METRO LINE…

ENGINE, ENGINE, NUMBER NINE, GOING DOWN MINSK METRO LINE…

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Disclaimer: In my last blog, I said I would talk about teaching in my next blog post. I started with that intent, but as you can see, I got (shall we say) sidetracked! ONE. Starting Point: Uruchcha (my home) Belarusian State University is located in the heart of downtown Minsk. On teaching days, I walk out to our sidewalk to be whisked into the center of the city by the blue Metro line. The subway system is quite dependable here but can be quite full depending on the time of day. Then I check my messages while trying not to crowd the space too much. If I sit on a crowded day, I risk being trapped away from the door … Continued
An Excursion to Novogrudok

An Excursion to Novogrudok

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Living and traveling in Belarus means a history lesson a day, history lessons that show me how much my western eyes have missed about this space between western Europe and Asia. Here are the Baltic peoples, the Slavic peoples, and the (actual) Caucasian peoples. Mixed into this region – or perhaps extending to their “home regions” – are eastern Scandinavians/Vikings to the North and Turks to the south. Historically, Belarus is populated primarily by the Slavs. On Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting Novogrudok, one of the oldest towns in Belarus. This town of 49,000 people was once a capital city – the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania before the capital was moved to Vilna (now Vilnius) … Continued
Tidbits of Belarusian Language and Literature

Tidbits of Belarusian Language and Literature

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I walk down to the metro but not to board a train. I’m going down to the cafe where I know they have great pastries. My wife and all four children are with me, and my wife has already figured out who speaks some English at this place. She knows how to order what we want, and I am happy to let her do it. After pointing and talking mostly in English with the kids and the woman behind the counter who knows some English, Beth prepares to pay and wait for the food. I’m carrying our youngest, little Jo, strapped onto me, and I move to the edge of the shop to keep from crowding the counter area. “Kids, … Continued