Orwell’s Legacy in the Modern World: Historian Laura Beers to Discuss Orwell’s Ghosts at Louisville Free Public Library
March 14, 2025
By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences
Seventy-five years after 1984 was first published, George Orwell’s ideas remain as relevant as ever, invoked by politicians on both the right and the left. But what does it truly mean to be “Orwellian”? How do his insights on political liberty, economic justice, and authoritarianism resonate in today’s world?
Historian Laura Beers, Professor of British History at American University, will explore these questions in her upcoming talk on Orwell’s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century. The event, part of the Liberal Studies Visiting Scholars Project, is free and open to the public.
It will take place at the Louisville Free Public Library’s Main Library on Wednesday, March 19, at 7 PM. A book signing will follow, with copies available for purchase from Carmichael’s Bookstore. UofL’s McConnell Center is co-sponsoring this event. Register for the event by clicking here.
A Timely Discussion on Orwell’s Relevance
Co-organizer and UofL philosophy professor Andreas Elpidorou emphasized the importance of bringing discussions like these to the broader Louisville community.
“We want to have events that are accessible and of interest to a lot of people, and in particular to people outside the university,” said Elpidorou. “With the rise of populism, Orwell’s significance has returned. His writings capture the anxieties people are feeling and the ways government agencies might be responding to those anxieties.”
Elpidorou noted that when he and his colleagues learned about Beers’ new book, they saw an opportunity to engage the public in a timely discussion.
“We have someone who is well known, who is willing to come and speak to the public, and who has a new book that addresses these pressing issues. So, we thought, Orwell is the perfect topic,” he states.
Encouraging Critical Thinking Among Students
Janna Tajibaeva, Sr. Program Coordinator in the Liberal Studies Program, highlighted the event’s relevance for students, particularly in fostering critical thinking skills.
“It’s especially important for our students to think critically,” Tajibaeva said. “Orwell was warning his generation, but the message still applies today: If you’re not vigilant, if you don’t think critically, if you conform without question, then look at what can happen. You lose your voice, your freedoms, and the system becomes authoritarian.”
By bringing Beers to Louisville, the Liberal Studies Program hopes to create a space for thought-provoking discussion about Orwell’s lasting impact and the lessons his work offers for today’s world.
For more information, contact janna@louisville.edu or call 852-2247.
