NGU News


Modern Languages and Linguistics to Host Marathon Reading

Posted on: April 4, 2022
By LaVerne Howell, laverne.howell@ngu.edu

NGU Modern Languages and Linguistics to Host Marathon ReadingTigerville, SC (April 4, 2022) Each April, organizations throughout the Spanish-speaking world, from Spain to Uruguay to Chile to the USA, participate in marathon readings of the Spanish classic, “Don Quixote de la Mancha,” written by Miguel de Cervantes.

To commemorate the 417th anniversary of the death of authors Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare and to celebrate International Book Day, North Greenville University (NGU) will participate in a marathon reading of this classic on Tuesday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Joyful Sound Room in the Tingle Student Center. 

“I think the timing of this event is very appropriate.  It seems that the pandemic is finally coming to an end.  It has impacted us in so many ways, and I think it is good that we take time to disconnect from all of the stress that the pandemic has caused and look to the future,” NGU Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics Dr. Ben Coates. “Like Don Quijote, it is time to dream big dreams again.”

Don Quixote, fully titled “The Ingenious Nobleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha,” was published in two volumes, in 1605 and 1615. Don Quixote is considered the most influential work of literature from the Spanish Golden Age and the entire Spanish literary canon. As a founding work of modern Western literature and one of the earliest canonical novels, it regularly appears high on lists of the greatest works of fiction ever published, such as the Bokklubben World Library collection that cites Don Quixote as the authors’ choice for the “best literary work ever written.”

The story follows the adventures of a noble named Alonso Quixano, who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his sanity and decides to revive chivalry, undo wrongs, and bring justice to the world under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. He recruits a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, as his squire, who often employs a unique, earthy wit in dealing with Don Quixote’s rhetorical orations on antiquated knighthood. In the first part of the book, Don Quixote does not see the world for what it is and prefers to imagine that he is living out a knightly story.

Coates said he likes that “we are able to connect with an event that will be happening around the globe as many countries will take the time to read ‘Don Quijote’ and reflect on its importance. It is the perfect book for college students who, like Don Quijote, have dreams of what they want their life to be.  We all dream of having a positive impact on our world.” 

In a Christian context, Coates said, “we need to trust God and allow Him to use us in mighty ways, even if it means attacking a windmill or two.”

For more information about this event, contact Coates at ben.coates@ngu.edu or 864.977.7068.

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NGU offers more than 115 areas of study across certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and early college opportunities. Online. In-person. At our main campus in Tigerville, SC, the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer, SC, or several educational centers around the U.S. One university, many locations. Every day. Epic. Learn more.

 

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