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Book Presentation and Signing: Ellis Island, an Epic Poem by Robert Viscusi


ELLIS ISLAND, an Epic Poem by Robert Viscusi

Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 10:30am

Born in 1941, Robert Viscusi grew up without being able to speak a word of Italian, even though all of his grandparents emigrated from Italy on their way through Ellis Island. Growing up, he was constantly at odds with who he was as an American and who he could have been as an Italian. His book, or rather epic poem, Ellis Island¸ represents his attempt, primarily through emotional detachment, to access Italy’s collective memory and examine what it was like for an immigrant passing through Ellis Island. Its structure is a series of sonnets that corresponds to the hours in a year and are endlessly changing from short stories to philosophical inquiry to pure songs. He manages to portray the constant change and work, interrupted by hope, that Italian Americans faced, and what they had to determine for themselves once in America. Presented by Professor Robert Viscusi.

Book signing and reception with the author will conclude the event.

Must register in advance and prepay.

Members $15, Non-Members $25

For more information, please call 914-771-8700, or visit wiccny.org

Event Location and Ticket Information

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Westchester Italian Cultural Center
24 Depot Square
Tuckahoe, NY
Handicap Accessible? Yes

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2014
Times: 10:30 am

Ticket pricing:


Presenter: Westchester Italian Cultural Center
Presenter Phone: 9147718700
Presenter Website: wiccny.org