Philadelphia's Haitian Community Thrilled By Latest 'One Book, One Philadelphia' Selection
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This year's celebration of the reading program "One Book, One Philadelphia" kicks off tonight at the Free Library.
Haitian drummers and dancers will perform at the library's main branch, on Logan Circle, to celebrate the selection of a book by the Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat.
The book, Create Dangerously, is subtitled "The Immigrant Artist at Work," but author Edwidge Danticat (ED-weej DAN-tee-kat) hopes that it will speak to a wide cross-section of readers in Philadelphia.
"It is a book about community, a community of readers, about the fellowship between readers and writers and how sometimes that's disrupted by larger powers, by banning, by political situation, by literacy," she tells KYW Newsradio, "so it's wonderful that it will be read as a community."
The local Haitian community is likewise thrilled that the essay collection, focusing on the Haitian diaspora, has been chosen.
"I'm extremely proud about the selection. I think it highlights the contribution of Haitians to the artistry of this nation," says Garvey Lundy, a member of Philadelphia's Haitian-American community, who adds that he will be participating in some of the "One Book" events at the library.
"One Book, One Philadelphia" runs through March 17th.
