UTAH HUMANITIES NEWSLETTER




"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."

- Maya Angelou
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Utah Humanities empowers Utahns to improve their communities
 through active engagement in the humanities.


Utah Humanities Supports Documentary on German POWs 


During World War II nearly half a million German prisoners of war were captured overseas and sent to prison camps across America. \'Splinters of a Nation\' tells the extraordinary story of 8,000 prisoners sent to Utah. For more than three years, these prisoners worked side-by-side with thousands of civilians on farms and factories across the state. This powerful collision of two enemies on the homefront created life-changing exchanges and friendships that have long outlived the conflict. Tragedy marked the end of their stay as a deranged American guard opened fire on hundreds of sleeping prisoners, killing nine and wounding 19. This tragic event in the small rural town of Salina became the largest WWII massacre on American soil.

The film will be released on public television this fall.
 

This film was funded in part through a Utah Humanities competitive grant.


Our 19th Annual Book Festival Kicks Off in September!

   

Each year, the Utah Humanities Book Festival is a chance for book lovers of all types to enjoy some great, free-of-charge literary events at locations throughout Utah. We have several events coming up early in September, so mark your calendars and plan to join us.
 
Remember to check our printed program and our online calendar for details and the full schedule.
 
Here is a preview of several events coming up soon in locations across the state. Click each event for more details:
 
Salt Lake City:
 
Orem:
 
Moab:
 
Sandy:
 
Cedar City:
 
Provo:

Our book festival artwork is courtesy of Shirley Jackson. Visit her website here.


Our Annual Board Retreat Focused on Meeting Our Mission
 
 
Each summer, the Utah Humanities board and staff gather in a different Utah location for a two-day retreat. This year's retreat was held in Torrey amid the beautiful surroundings of Wayne County and Capitol Reef National Park.
 
We enjoyed the hospitality of local residents who showcased the beauty of Wayne County and deepened both the context and success of our retreat. We want to thank the Mitchell family for hosting our community reception at their home in Teasdale, and Mark Bailey and Kirsten Allen for hosting an awe-inspiring evening of night sky and astrophotography.
 
Our retreat work revolved around planning for our new fiscal year, identifying progress toward our organizational goals, and discussing specifics on how to more fully meet our mission of improving communities through the humanities.  

We also welcomed five new board members featured below, said a heartfelt goodbye to board members who have served for several years, and transitioned to a new board chair, David Allred of Snow College in Ephraim.
 
Our retreat culminated with a screening and discussion of the "Wayne County Generations" documentary film, originally funded by Utah Humanities nearly 20 years ago.

Welcome to our new board members. Read their bios here.



Photos:   Board members and staff discuss how we can more fully meet our mission.
Photo credit: Deena Pyle



Click the State Icon to See Our Humanities Events Near You
 


Our events calendar is organized by month, date, and even region of the state.

Click the icon to visit our calendar, and remember  to check back often.

There are always new humanities events to attend!


Many Thanks


Utah Humanities would like to thank all of our monthly sustaining donors, board members, and staff whose long-term commitments help support our programs and help us achieve positive and impactful change. We are also proud to recognize that 100% of UH's board and staff give to support our mission and efforts.
 
Thanks to their generosity--and yours--the humanities make Utah a better place to live!

Utah Humanities is grateful for the generous support of many individuals, foundations, and corporations and for public funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Utah, and the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks Fund.