Dr. Joe Luzzi

What makes Dante such a fascinating and essential author – and why is his classic from 700 years ago, The Divine Comedy, more relevant to our everyday lives than ever before? Join us for a truly unique celebration of Dante and his work, as Joseph Luzzi, award-winning Dante scholar and Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College, shares his lifetime of study with you about the writer Italians still call “Sommo Poeta”, Supreme Poet. Luzzi will offer a candid look on Dante while drawing on his Vanity Fair “Must Read” memoir, In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love, the story of how Dante’s wisdom and vision helped him overcome a great personal tragedy. In Dr. Luzzi’s Reading Dante presentation, lovers of literature and the human experience will take a deep dive into Dante’s works, his imagery, and his timeless themes that continue to ring true for readers and scholars today.