Cultural Claims, Human Rights Focus of Speech

Cultural Claims, Human Rights Focus of Speech

RICE NEWS OFFICE
Sept. 17, 1998

Commenting on "Cultural Claims and the Rights of Humanity," Wole Soyinka
will kick off the 1998-99 President’s Lecture Series at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 in the
Grand Hall of Rice Memorial Center.

Nigerian Soyinka follows the African cultural and artistic tradition of recording
the mores and experience of his society. Soyinka is the first African to receive
the Nobel Prize in literature, and his international education, political activism
and personal experiences are poignantly reflected in his lectures, poetry, plays
and novels.

"Wole Soyinka was almost alone among the leading intellectuals of the world
who stood up and condemned the death sentence by the Iranian government on Salman
Rushdie [for his book ‘The Satanic Verses’]," said Rice President Malcolm
Gillis. "He is a gifted, versatile artist–a world treasure."

Before completing a bachelor’s degree at England’s University of Leeds, Soyinka
attended the University of Ibadan. Soyinka is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor
of the Arts at Emory University.

Tickets will not be needed for admission to the lectures. Seating will begin at
7 p.m., however, some seats are reserved for Rice students who arrive by 7:45
p.m.

To ensure reserved seats, students may obtain tickets through the Student Organizations
Office, but these are not necessary for attendance. After 7:45 p.m., any unoccupied
seats remaining in the student section will be released.

For related information visit the following Web site:

President’s Lecture Series: http://www.rice.edu/pls