The work of Erasmus was censored and put on the List of Prohibited Books by the Catholic Church in 1580.
Is Frazier Mountain ready for sharp satire about theologians and “widely practiced religious observances”?
Ready or not, a witty attack of satire is in store Saturday, Feb. 8 when a group of local people of all ages meet at the Frazier Park library at 3:30 p.m. to read In Praise of Folly by Erasmus of Rotterdam.
Erasmus is the 16th-century Renaissance humanist (and Catholic priest) who is credited with writing the adage: “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.”
In the 1530s, Wikipedia pundits tell us, 10-20% of all book sales were those written by Erasmus. Plan to join in the fun February 8 to find out what all the fuss was about 480 years ago!
Everyone is invited to these community readings with the folks who brought you The Iliad and The Odyssey by ancient Greek author Homer and The Art of Love by the Italian poet Ovid.
Two professors, Anna Krajewska-Wieczorek of Frazier Park (and Loyola Marymount University) and Katherine King of Pine Mountain (and UCLA) lead a varied group of mountain people of all ages who have been doing their classical readings weekly for over a year now. Most recently, on January 25, they read bawdy tales from the classic 14th Century Decameron by Boccaccio.
—Reported by George Garrigues
Library Book Sale
On Saturday, Feb. 1 the classics group will take a break to help out with the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Frazier Park Library. Go explore to discover what treasures you may find.
Thursday, Jan. 30 • 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31 • 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1 • 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
This is part of the January 31, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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