Bloomsday Celebration in New Delhi
Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, in partnership with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), hosted a vibrant and engaging celebration of Bloomsday.
The Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, in partnership with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), hosted a vibrant and engaging celebration of Bloomsday. This event marked a significant cultural occasion, bringing together literature enthusiasts, academics, and art lovers to commemorate Joyce’s renowned novel Ulysses.
The evening commenced with a brief introduction by the Deputy Head of Mission, Raymond Mullen, who spoke about James Joyce's life and contribution to Irish and world literature. This introduction set the tone for the evening, providing the audience with a contextual background on Joyce and the significance of Bloomsday in Ireland and internationally.
Following this, acclaimed writer and Delhi’s own Joycewala/Joyce expert, Mayank Austen Soofi gave an insightful take on Ulysses captivated the audience followed by a brief address by Professor Anuradha Sharma, a distinguished academic and founder of Shaw’s Corner. Professor Sharma's address highlighted the influence of Irish literature on global literary, her affinity and connections with Ireland and the unique contributions of James Joyce.
Adding a theatrical flair to the evening, actors from Shaw's Corner performed dramatic readings from Ulysses. Their expressive interpretations brought Joyce's characters to life, immersing the audience in the rich, vivid world of 1904 Dublin. These performances were well received by large audience that had turned out for the event.. Complementing the literary feast, the event also featured Joycean-themed food and drinks.
The Bloomsday celebration in New Delhi was a resounding success, underscoring the keen interest and appreciation for James Joyce, his works, and Irish literature more broadly. The event attracted a diverse audience of around 120 people, including literature enthusiasts, academics, students, and the general public, all of whom expressed a deep admiration for Ireland’s literary heritage.