'Odyssey Live!' anchors on the mall

By: Marie Williams

Posted: 3/24/09

ECU's campus was alive last Thursday with the classical sound of "Odyssey Live!"

The ECU program in classical studies took the historical piece into their own hands and presented all 24 books of "The Odyssey" in front of the cupola.

Both faculty and students volunteered for the reading, which lasted from 8 a.m. until around 10 p.m. About 200 students attended the event throughout the course of the day.

John Givens, the classical studies program director, headed the event in hopes to spread the word about classical literature on campus.

"It is really important to let the campus see how vibrant the arts the can be," said Givens. "The arts are a valuable part of our culture and education."

Most students had never heard "The Odyssey" in its entirety and took the opportunity to hear the work being performed aloud.

"'The Odyssey' was never meant to be read," Givens said. "It is in the tradition of Homer that 'The Odyssey' be performed orally."

The performance created a sense of appreciation for classical arts and entertainment among students.

"I have never read or heard 'The Odyssey' from start to finish," said Ethan Vick, a freshman who attended the event. "But after listening to it [being] performed live, it has been an event that I will never forget."

It wasn't until nightfall that the nice weather took a negative turn and the group was forced to relocate.

"We were prepared for the rain, but the bitterly cold wind was too much for us," Givens said. "So we took an odyssey of our own and ended up in the reference department's conference room in Joyner Library."

The group members were not wavered by the relocation and were determined to make it through the final books.

"Our relocation created a strong bond among the group members, linked by our determination to reach the end of 'The Odyssey' no matter what," Givens said.

There was a feeling of pride and accomplishment when they reached the end of the epic poem.

"It thrills me to know that there are educators as well as students at our school that care so deeply for us that they are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to perform such a magnificent piece of literature," Vick said.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.