University Will Honor Cervantes Anniversary

Already the books are rolling from the printing presses and scholars are gathering in solemn conclaves throughout the world to commemorate the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Miguel do Cervantes Saavedra.

Normally, Spain would be the neutral center of activities during the quadricentennial celebration, but the abrogation of scholastic freedom under the France regime has caused the world to turn elsewhere for a keynote to the anniversary.

And so, from Thursday, October 23, until December 7, a galaxy of scholars will flock to Cambridge to join in a celebration which a Modern Language Center official terms "the most complete and the widest in appeal of the many such commemorative programs being hold throughout the country. It is perhaps no exaggeration to say that the Harvard program is unsurpassed by any being held in Europe, including Spain."

Book Display

Coincident with the quadricentenary, Widener and Houghton Libraries will place on display an exhibition of early and rare editions of the works of Cervantes in many languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Malayan, Sanskrit, and Russian. Library officials have even promised to exhibit a Spanish edition.

One of the high spots of the showing of Cervantica will be the Carl T. Keller '94 Collection of "Don Quixote," recently donated to the University.

Lectures Are Backbone

Twelve lectures, including one by British poet W. H. Auden, will form the backbone of the anniversary celebration.

Lead-off man in the series will be Harry T. Levin '33, chairman of the Department of Comparative Literature, who will discuss "Cervantes and Melville" on Thursday, October 23, at 8 o'clock in the Institute of Geographical Exploration, 2 Divinity Avenue.

While all lectures will be open to the public, only students of Spanish will be able to understand the entire series, for four of the programs will be given in Spanish.

Music will also play a prominent role in the ceremonies, for one lecture will be illustrated by choral singing of Spanish ballads; while a record recital will be used to illustrate the musical treatment of themes from Cervantes.