Convivium

My week at Classical Pursuits, Summer 2012 [editor's note: due to a technical glitch, publication of this post was slightly delayed, and Larry's Friday wrap-up appears before this one.  My apologies to Larry. -LN] The Eve: There was a sound of revelry by night. I watch the wonderful 80th birthday tribute to Stephen Sondheim and [...]

Submitted by Larry French, Toronto I am writing this final blog from the Alumni Hall surrounded by live spoken poetry thanks to Faith and her team. Words caroming around me as I think of our final Terrible Beauty session, a more than lively round the table exploration of Heaney’s memoriam to his mother, Clearances. What [...]

submitted by Bobbi Speck, Toronto On Wednesday night the Vic foyer was a hive of festivity as Classical Pursuers, our hands and minds freed of weighty texts, buzzed about sampling beverages and appetizers. Along the room’s perimeter a smorgasbord of flag festooned tables beckoned us to explore the world outside and travel in space and [...]

Leslie Sauber: Where else could you meet with 14 people who have all just finished reading a 700 page novel of ideas and boarding school shenanigans?  AND with a group member fluent in German and several participants who speak a smattering of French, Italian and Latin?  With a leader who is fluent in classical music? [...]

“Montaigne is even capable of writing a sentence with a triple negative. We were not willing not to work through such writing lest we not understand, (I think – maybe not).”

“You’re going to the heat of Toronto to discuss Dickens?”

“How can there be so many other people who want to ask the questions I want to ask and argue the points I want to argue? How can there be so many other interesting people whom I have not already met? Life’s great surprises.”

submitted by Kathryn Bloom, Boston The first day of Classical Pursuits is always a bit of a homecoming for me.  I’ve been a participant since the very first year, and it’s always wonderful to catch up with old friends and talk to the first-timers who are here. Surprising for someone who’s been involved for so [...]

One return participant’s musings on his annual visit to Toronto Pursuits.

Submitted by Garth Lawrence, Toronto What is it with the Festival Theatre in Stratford? I have seen many productions here over the years, so I have an easy familiarity with the building. Yet, every time I enter that particular auditorium my jaw drops in wonder. The volume of space, the famous thrust stage, the nearly [...]