Playwright to discuss epic poem

FORT KENT — French Acadia’s most celebrated playwright and author, Antonine Maillet, will discuss Longfellow’s epic poem “Evangeline” at 7 p.m. May 11 in Fox Auditorium at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

The English presentation is part of the 150th anniversary celebration of “Evangeline.” Maillet will reflect on the poem’s influence in her writing career.

The yearlong celebration is a project of the Acadian Archives at UMFK. Maillet’s talk is free and open to the public.

Maillet, from Bouctouche, New Brunswick, is one of Canada’s most distinguished writers, with more than 30 publications, novels, plays, monologues and stories to her credit.

She has received 25 honorary degrees from Canadian and American universities, as well as the prestigious Prix France Canada and the Prix Goncourt.