‘Banned Books/Silenced Voices’ performance set Sept. 26
In observance of national Banned Books Week, the Lewes Public Library will welcome members of Delaware Shakespeare for an original performance of “Banned Books/Silenced Voices” at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, at the library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. The event will also stream live via Zoom.
In 2023, the American Library Association reported a 65% year-over-year increase in demands to censor library books and resources, with more than 4,000 titles targeted for removal from schools and libraries, the highest number ever recorded. Banned Books Week, observed from Sunday to Saturday, Sept. 22 to 28, aims to brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read.
The performance will feature three actors reading selections from some of the most popular – and most censored – books in America. They will also bring to life the authors’ own words about the harm in censoring the authors’ and others’ works.
“I find this program so important because it shines a light on the dangers of censorship. Now more than ever, it's important to uplift rather than silence the voices of those most often kept in the dark,” said Mariah Ghant, Delaware Shakespeare artistic director. “With selections from both classics and newer works, it is sure to be a great night of dialogue and conversation.”
To register, go to tinyurl.com/WeLoveBannedBooks or call 302-645-2733. Participants will be asked to select in-person or virtual attendance at registration.
The free performance is presented by the Lewes Spoken Word Society through generous support from the Freedom to Read Foundation, Browseabout Books, Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, John and Sally Freeman Foundation, Sussex County Department of Libraries, M&T Charitable Foundation, Sussex County Council, Rotary Club of Lewes-Rehoboth Beach, and the Delaware Division of the Arts.
“When a book is banned, the power and beauty of the language and ideas are taken from the community and lost,” said David White, volunteer LSWS artistic director. “In this program, we reclaim these passages and present them to you in a magical evening of spoken-word artistry delivered by talented local [individuals] and trained professionals from Delaware Shakespeare.”
