The Big Read 2021:Virtual Kickoff

Fishtrap launches its National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program with a true tale of resilience and survival, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. This National Book Award winning tale tells the story of the whaleship Essex which in 1820, was rammed by the biggest whale anyone had ever seen and inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick. Fishtrap has created a month of free online events for readers, students, and families to learn about whales and the history of whaling in America. Fishtrap has also provided more than 400 free books to schools and libraries in Wallowa and Union Counties.
 
Discover a full schedule of events and resources at Fishtrap.org
 
The Big Read Kicks off on Wednesday, February 17 with a dynamic talk on Whaling with Dr. Lisa T. Ballance, Director of Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute and Endowed Chair of Marine Mammal Research. Fishtrap will stream it live at 1:00pm and the video can be streamed anytime afterwards at Fishtrap.org