Elizabethtown College hosts author Dr. Mark Harman

Professor reads from translation of "Letters to a Young Poet"

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Letters to a Young Poet

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (03/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Dr. Mark Harman, professor of English and Modern Languages at Elizabethtown College, presents "Letters to a Young Poet: Rilke in Translation," at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in Bowers Writers House. Harman will read from and discuss his translation of these letters, which will be released by Harvard University Press, with a revealing introduction by the translator, on April 4.

This new edition of Rainer Maria Rilke's now classic book, sets out the poet's advice about life, love and art.

Born in Prague in 1875, Rilke published his first collection of poetry when he was 19. He went on to publish more than a dozen collections of poetry, as well as several prose books. He also traveled extensively throughout his life, visiting Russia, Italy, Spain and Egypt. He lived in Paris for 12 years. At the time of his death, Rilke's work was intensely admired by leading European artists, but was almost unknown to the general reading public. His reputation has grown steadily since his death, and he has come to be universally regarded as a master of verse.

"Letters to a Young Poet" comprises 10 letters, written by Rilke to the titular Young Poet who initially sought him out for writing advice, but ended up learning a great deal about life.

The letters encourage the Young Poet to develop an understanding of, and connection to, his inner creative soul. In doing so, Rilke explores themes relating to the necessity of solitude, the relationships between creativity, nature and sexuality, and the importance of living a full life. Over the years the book (originally published by the Young Poet to whom the Letters were originally written) has come to be seen as a kind of guide to life, not just for artists and other creative individuals, but for anyone determined to get in touch with his or her own humanity.

Internationally known for his translations of Franz Kafka and other German-language authors, Harman has written extensively about modern German and Irish literature with particular emphasis on Joyce, Kafka, Beckett and Robert Walser. Harman's translation of Franz Kafka's novel, "The Castle," won the Modern Language Association's Lois Roth Award, and his rendering of Kafka's first novel "Amerika: The Missing Person" (2008) also was critically well-received. A new deluxe illustrated edition of his "Castle" translation has just been released in London by The Folio Society.

Bowers Writers House at Elizabethtown College, 840 College Hill Lane, was created with a generous gift by Kenneth L. '59 and Rosalie E.'58 Bowers to support a culture of creative curiosity and foster a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm for intellectual diversity. The Bowers Writers House is an interdisciplinary venue for presentation, performance, expression and study. The programs-from dramatic readings to interactive panels to musical performances-offer a dynamic variety of enjoyable and informative experiences. Visit www.etown.edu/WritersHouse for more information about Bowers Writers House.

Elizabethtown College, in southeastern Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Through personal attention, creative inspiration and academic challenge, Elizabethtown College students are encouraged to expand their intellectual curiosity and are given the opportunity to become an important part of the bigger world through experiential learning-research, internships and study abroad. Elizabethtown College's overall commitment to Educate for Service is fulfilled as students are taught intellectually, socially, aesthetically and ethically for lives of service and leadership.

Visit www.etown.edu for more information about Elizabethtown College.

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