The focus of this month’s exploration is the deeply influential Poems of Sappho, using the celebrated translation by J. M. Edmonds.
Sappho’s fragments, which have survived millennia of political and cultural shifts, offer participants a raw, intimate glimpse into ancient love, beauty, and human emotion.
Housed inside the historic Bradbury Conference Room at 1100 Oxley Street, the discussion will allow readers to parse how these ancient lyric structures still shape modern poetry.
The monthly gathering serves as a vital anchor for the library’s adult education programming, proving that classical literature remains deeply relevant to contemporary life.
Rather than viewing these texts as rigid museum pieces, the club approaches them as living conversations, encouraging diverse interpretations from residents of all backgrounds.
By engaging with Edmonds’ translation, the group will debate the delicate balance of preserving an ancient author’s true voice while making it accessible for a modern audience.
-
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
-
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
-
Selected Text: Poems of Sappho (Translated by J. M. Edmonds)
-
Location: Bradbury Conference Room, 1100 Oxley Street, South Pasadena, CA
-
Frequency: Meets regularly on the fourth Saturday of every month
Connecting with Local Itinerary Organizers
The event is free and open to all community members, whether you’re a lifelong scholar of classical antiquity or picking up Sappho’s work for the very first time.
If you’ve got questions about securing a copy of the text, parking accessibility, or upcoming reading lists, reach out to Adult Services Librarian Olivia Radbill.
You can contact her directly via email at [email protected] or call the library staff at (626) 403-7359 to learn more about joining the discussion.
