Human rights symposium will take place at Museum of Art The North Dakota Museum of Art presents a symposium featuring discussions, lectures, film screenings and performances that address human rights abuses, a central theme of the exhibition, “The Disappeared.” The award-winning exhibition features significant and moving artwork made by contemporary artists personally touched by the horrors of the civil wars in Latin America. The symposium is scheduled Nov. 29-Dec. 2, and “The Disappeared,” which runs from Nov. 19-Jan. 17, 2010, ends its four-year tour across the United States and Latin America at the North Dakota Museum of Art. At the symposium, leading humanists, musicians and scholars will investigate how people and countries move forward, into a more humane future, after great suffering. The theme of the symposium is ultimately that of hope and recovery in the aftermath of unspeakable horrors. This theme corresponds to that of “The Disappeared,” which features artwork that challenges viewers to learn about and remember victims of atrocities committed by Latin American governments against their own peoples in the mid- to late-twentieth century. The symposium schedule is listed below. Unless otherwise noted, events will take place at the North Dakota Museum of Art and are free and open to the public. Sunday, Nov. 29 4 p.m. – Laurel Reuter, curator of "The Disappeared," will speak about the exhibition 5 p.m. – Father Jack Davis will give a lecture on life in Peru during the Shining Path guerrilla movement, followed by a reception. Monday, Nov. 30 12 p.m. – Father Jack Davis moderated discussion by Dr. Jack Weinstein 1:30 p.m. – Ishmael Beah talk with middle and high school students: $2 student tickets 7 p.m. – Ishmael Beah reading/lecture, followed by a reception and book signing at the Empire Theatre: $5 students, $10 adults Tuesday, Dec. 1 12 p.m. – Stories from those who live among us: Refugees in North Dakota will share personal stories. 4 p.m. – Laurel Reuter, curator of The Disappeared, will speak about the exhibition 6 p.m. – Cristian Correa lecture 8 p.m. – Sarah Cahill performance at the Empire Arts Center: $5 students, $10 adults Wednesday, Dec. 2 10 a.m. – Dr. Jack Weinstein radio interview with panelists 12 p.m. – "War Child" screening at UND Memorial Union 4 p.m. – Laurel Reuter, curator of The Disappeared, will speak about the exhibition 7 p.m. – Emmanuel Jal performance/lecture, followed by reception and book signing at the the Empire Arts Center: $5 students, $10 adults 8:30 p.m. – Book signing/reception for Emmanuel Jal Laurel Reuter, director of the North Dakota Museum of Art and curator of “The Disappeared”, said, “Through creative expression and dedication to their respective causes, presenters in the symposium encourage others to witness how, in the face of extreme horror, individuals can draw upon reserves of strength and hopefulness to overcome oppression”. A complete schedule of events and other information can be found online at www.ndmoa.com. The North Dakota Museum of Art is open 9 - 5 weekdays, 1 - 5 weekends. Admission is a $5 suggested donation, and change from children. The Museum is located at 261 Centennial Drive stop 7305, Grand Forks N.D., 58202. Please call (701) 777-4195 for further information. -- Brian Lofthus, Assistant to the Director, North Dakota Museum of Art, blofthus@ndmoa.com, 777-4195