LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish Library will begin the Readings in Literature and Culture (RELIC) program, “The Creole Identity and Experience in Louisiana Literature and History,” at the LaPlace location on March 25 and will continue on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. through April 29, 2008.  RELIC is a reading and discussion program that gives adults an opportunity to read and discuss exciting works of history and literature in scholar-led sessions at public libraries.  This series looks at the Louisiana Creole experience through historical works and literature.  

“The Creole Identity and Experience” is being conducted by Paul Leslie, Professor of History, and Tiffany Duet, Instructor of English at Nicholls State University.  The six sessions are entitled:  1) What Is a Creole?; 2) Colonial Foundations of Creole Culture and Identity; 3) Les Americains and the Creole Experience:  A Cultural Transformation by Criticism and Defense; 4) Gens de Couleur Libre:  Caught between Identity, Privilege and Oppression; 5) Cane River:  Emergence and Persistence of a Creole Family; 6) Creole Identity within the Twentieth Century.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Call (985) 652-6857 to check to see if seats are available.  All reading materials are provided free of charge, and this program is free and open to the public. .