photo by Jessica Griffin
The international Bloomsday Festival returns to Center City Philadelphia on Sunday, June 16, celebrating the literary genius of James Joyce and his groundbreaking novel Ulysses. Celebrated around the world since 1954, the Rosenbach has made Philadelphia the North American destination for the event for over 30 years. An all-day affair featuring a public reading, live music, and local vendors in the heart of Center City, Bloomsday 2024 promises an unforgettable experience for Philadelphia’s book lovers, history lovers, and music lovers alike.
Register for free admission at www.rosenbach.org or at 215-732-1600.
The highlight of the Bloomsday Festival is a public reading of James Joyce’s masterpiece, where passionate readers bring the novel to life with their heartfelt interpretations. This literary journey through the streets of Dublin, as depicted in Ulysses, offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of Joyce’s words and characters. Some of this year’s readers include Senator Nikil Saval, Nik Quaife, Head of Cultural Affairs for the Irish Consulate, Representative Ben Waxman, Senator Vince Hughes, Fergus Carey, and local artists Tom Teti, KC MacMillan, Leonard Haas, Kirsten Quinn, and many more.
“The Rosenbach is proud to be the home of Joyce’s original manuscript for Ulysses, a source of controversy and adoration since its creation,” says Kelsey Scouten Bates, the Rosenbach’s John C. Haas Director. “Joyce’s manuscript has been a jewel in our collection for 100 years, and welcoming the public to our Delancey Place home for this celebration is an event we look forward to all year.” Lenore Steiner, who sponsors the annual Bloomsday Festival with her husband Perry Lerner, echoes this sentiment. “I am once again thrilled to participate in the Rosenbach’s ‘event of the year.’ A wonderful Philadelphia tradition, it has grown more festive over the years, but the power of Joyce’s words remain at the heart of the day.”
In addition to public readings, the Bloomsday Festival will feature live music performances by local artists Eamon Kelly, John McGillian, and Gabriel Rebolla. From traditional Irish tunes to contemporary melodies, the musical lineup promises to delight audiences of all ages.
The Rosenbach is also pleased to welcome several local food vendors and community partners to Bloomsday 2024. Philly favorites Federal Donuts and Many Hands Coffee will be on hand to serve the masses, and Attic Brewing Company returns as a Bloomsday event partner with a custom Bloomsday brew that attendees can enjoy in the Rosenbach’s beer garden. We are also proud to welcome our community partners The Science History Institute, The Free Library Foundation, The Free Library of Philadelphia, Inis Nua Theatre Company, Bindlestiff Books, The Head & Hand Books, and For the Love of Used Books.
The Bloomsday Festival is open to everyone with free admission for all attendees. Whether you’re a seasoned Joyce enthusiast or a newcomer curious about his works, the festival welcomes you to join in this celebration of literature, music, and community spirit.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Bloomsday Festival back for another year of literary and cultural celebration,” says Edward G. Pettit, the Rosenbach’s Sunstein Senior Manager of Public Programs. “This event is a testament to the enduring legacy of James Joyce and the vibrant arts scene in our community. The Rosenbach is pleased to invite everyone to come together, enjoy great literature, music, food, and create lasting memories.”
The Bloomsday Festival will take place on Sunday, June 16, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, on Delancey Place in Center City. The Festival will occupy Delancey Place between 20th and 21st Streets. For more information and to register to attend, visit www.rosenbach.org.
The Bloomsday Festival will also livestream on the Rosenbach’s youtube channel at www.youtube.com/@RosenbachMuseum. Subscribe to get notifications.
History
James Joyce (1882-1941) has been called the greatest 20th-century novelist writing in English. Ulysses is his masterpiece. The manuscript of Ulysses is among the premier treasures of the Rosenbach Museum & Library. Our founder, Dr. ASW Rosenbach owned a first edition of the novel—the banned book had been smuggled into the country for him in 1922. He purchased the manuscript at the auction of lawyer John Quinn’s collection in 1924. (Quinn had defended Joyce and his publishers against obscenity charges under the Comstock laws in 1920.) The Rosenbach celebrates the Joycean tradition annually on Bloomsday, June 16. Bloomsday, the only international holiday in recognition of a work of art, brings scholars, devotees, and the general public together on Delancey Place for a day of dramatic readings from the novel.
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