New York University’s Center for French Civilization and Culture will host “Camus Now,” a three-day conference celebrating the works and life of existential philosopher and author Albert Camus, April 8-10, at NYU’s La Maison Française (16 Washington Mews [at University Place]/below 8th Street). The events, which are in English and French, are free and open to the public. Call 212.998.8750 or email maison.francaise@nyu.edu for more information.
New York University’s Center for French Civilization and Culture will host “Camus Now,” a three-day conference celebrating the works and life of existential philosopher and author Albert Camus, April 8-10, at NYU’s La Maison Française (16 Washington Mews [at University Place]/below 8th Street). The events, which are in English and French, are free and open to the public. Call 212.998.8750 or email maison.francaise@nyu.edu for more information. Subways: R (8th Street); 6 (Astor Place).
The conference comes 50 years after the death of Camus (1913-1960), who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957. For a complete schedule of events, go to: www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise. Camus, author of The Rebel and The Stranger, remains a controversial figure in France and his influence among American politicians stretches from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
The event will include two keynote addresses (both in French): the University of Florida’s Raymond Gay-Crosier, considered the world’s foremost Camus scholar, on Thursday, April 8, 7 p.m., and Jean Daniel, founder of the French newsweekly Le Nouvel Observateur and friend of Camus, on Friday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. (Note alternate venue for April 9 keynote: 5 Washington Place/between Broadway and Mercer Street).
Other speakers include: Denis Hollier, chair of NYU’s Department of French; Philip Watts, chair of Columbia University’s Department of French; David Carroll, a professor at the University of California, Irvine and author of Albert Camus, The Algerian: Colonialism, Terrorism, Justice; Elisabeth Hawes, author of Camus, A Romance; and, Professor Tom Bishop, director of NYU’s Center for French Civilization and Culture.
Reporters interested in attending the conference must RSVP to James Devitt, NYU’s Office of Public Affairs, at 212.998.6808 or james.devitt@nyu.edu.
NYU’s Center for French Civilization and Culture previously hosted conferences on Jean-Paul Sartre (2005) and Simone de Beauvoir (2008), marking the 100th anniversaries of their respective births.