Big Brother has a birthday

HAWLEY, PA — George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel of repression, torture, and surveillance by a totalitarian government, “1984,” begins on April 4, 1984, when protagonist Winston Smith begins his illegal diary. The 25th anniversary of that date will be commemorated on Saturday, April 4, at the Hawley Public Library in with a program of readings and discussions beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The program will be sponsored by the “1984+25 Project,” which is a brainchild of local writer, performer and activist Skip Mendler. Five years ago, Mendler conducted an 11-hour marathon reading of the entire novel with help from some friends. Other commemorations inspired by his “1984+20 Project” occurred as far away as California and Germany, and the idea of the project was taken up in October 2004 by the National Council of Teachers of English.

“The novel and its messages were clearly relevant to life under the Bush Regime,” said Mendler. “The question now, with President Obama in the White House, is just how much has changed and how much remains the same.” So this year’s commemoration will feature selected readings from the novel, with time for discussion of some of the questions it raises.

“I hope this will just be one out of a series of many similar events worldwide, lasting all year,” said Mendler. “Libraries, schools and universities, social change organizations, anyone concerned with issues of liberty and repression could sponsor a 1984+25 event any time this year.”

The program is planned to last until about 3:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

For more information visit 1984plus25.wordpress.com.