The Monadnock Summer Lyceum’s 2023 offerings range from the success story of the nation’s bald eagles to the heroes of New Hampshire’s Black history to the message of flamenco music.
Based at Peterborough’s Unitarian Universalist Church, the lyceum originated in 1829 as a forum for diverse opinion.It features prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines who discuss current topics of importance. When the pandemic arrived in 2020, the lyceum moved online to live-stream the presentations for two years, returning to its home in the PUUC’s sanctuary in 2022.
Now, the lyceum continues to make all of its presentations available online as well as in person in Peterborough. Each event is preceded by live music and followed by a reception where audience members have a chance to meet and talk with the speaker. Over the years, the has attracted speakers such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and more recently, Toni Morrison, Andrew Card and Sy Montgomery.
The series opener on June 25 features Jack Davis presenting “The Bald Eagle: Symbol and Species in American History.” Davis is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and history professor who sees the eagle’s journey as an inspirational story of hope.
Graphic novelist James Sturm follows on July 2 with “Applied Cartooning: Civic Engagement, Public Health, and Funny Animals.” Sturm, a co-founder and creative director of the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont, has published multiple graphic novels and believes cartoons can be a powerful educational tool.
Tom Frey, the artistic director of Peterborough Players, appears on July 9 to present “The Empathy Machine: How One 90-Year-Old Theatre is Embracing Change.” Frey, an actor and director, will talk about the joys and challenges of change from the perspective of professional theater’s role in people’s lives.
Matthew Boulton is next on July 16 with “Nature Writing, Nature Walking: Spirituality and the Living World in Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, and ThichNhatHanh.” Boulton, a writer and the creative director at the SALT Project in Keene, an Emmy-winning nonprofit film production company, will explore how going for a walk can open the door to becoming more fully human.
Next, JerriAnneBoggis, the executive director of New Hampshire’s Black Heritage Trail, will invite people to look at the state’s history through fresh eyes in “Out of the Shadows: Remembering New Hampshire’s Black Past.” Boggis is committed to sharing the stories of New Hampshire’s Black heroes, a heritage that led to the creation of the trail and a fuller understanding of the state’s true history.
On Aug. 6, Summer Lopez will speak on “The Freedom to Read: Why Banning Books Is a Threat to Democracy.” Lopez, the chief program officer for free expression at PEN America, will explain why efforts to ban books pose a risk to education’s role in supporting the values that are essential for democracy.
Journalist Penelope (Penny) Muse Abernathy is next on Aug. 13, asking the question “Can Our Democracy Thrive Without Local Journalism?” Abernathy, a former senior executive at The New York Times, will focus on how to preserve quality journalism in a digital environment.
Closing the series will be Hernan Romero on Aug. 20, presenting “Gets Personal: The Importance of Music in People’s Lives.” Romero is a Grammy award-winning flamenco guitarist who will speak about his musical journey and belief in the vital importance of music.
All programs will be presented live at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St., and live streamed on the lyceum’s website. Programs begin at 11 a.m., with music starting at 10:30 a.m. For information about the Monadnock Summer Lyceum and to find links to the live-streamed events, visit monadnocklyceum.org. All events are free, but donations are welcome in person and via the website.