Renowned Author Isabel Allende to Speak at U

Novelist Isabel Allende will present the 2009 Tanner Lecture on Human Values on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Olpin Union Ballroom.

Nov. 23, 2009–Novelist Isabel Allende will deliver this year’s Tanner Lecture on Human Values on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the University of Utah Olpin Union Ballroom, 200 S. Central Campus Drive. The talk, titled “In the Hearts of Women,” is free and open to the public.

A literary legend, social activist, and feminist icon, Allende has sold over 51 million books worldwide in over 32 languages. Her novels and memoirs have established her as one of the world’s most respected Latin American writers.

Bob Goldberg, professor of history and director of the Tanner Humanities Center, describes Allende as “a leading voice on the nuanced experiences of women in our time. Her work provides unique insight into the soulful individual consciousness and complex relationships that unite and define our world.”

In her lecture, Allende will explore the world of women to discover the thread of hope that transcends cultures and generations. Through personal reflection and experiences, she shares her belief in the perseverance of women’s values and the common ties that unite women.

Additional events will also be held in connection with her visit. On Nov. 30, two films will be screened at the Salt Lake Main Library, 210 E. 400 South. Isabel Allende, A Writer’s Life will be shown at 5:30 p.m. and The House of the Spirits will begin at 7 p.m. Isabel Dulfano, associate professor of languages and literature, will introduce the films.

On Dec. 3, a panel discussion on Allende’s work will be held at 11 a.m. in room 109 of the Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Building, 215 S. Central Campus Dr. The panel will include Isabel Dulfano of the University of Utah, Donald Shaw of the University of Virginia and Benjamin Saenz of the University of Texas, El Paso.

This year’s Tanner Lecture on Human Values is hosted by the Tanner Humanities Center. All events are free and open to the public.

To schedule a media interview with Allende, contact Josh Elstein in the Tanner Humanities Center at 801-581-7989 or jelstein@hum.utah.edu.

For more information, contact the Tanner Humanities Center at (801) 581-7989 or www.thc.utah.edu.