"I want to give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city one day suddenly disappeared from the earth it could be reconstructed out of my book." - James Joyce

If you happen to walk down a cobbled street in Dublin, or enter one of the many Irish pubs in the United States on June 16th, you may come across a bizarre scene of people dressed in Edwardian costumes reading excerpts from one of the most revered literary texts of the 20th century, Ulysses. Don't worry, you haven't traveled back in time, you've merely come across a celebration known as Bloomsday.

Bloomsday is a celebrated literary tradition that has become a worldwide celebration of Irish literature and Joyce's vast influence on modern literature. One of the very first Bloomsday celebrations was an informal lunch hosted by the publisher of Ulysses, Sylvia Beach, in France in June 1929. The Bloomsday celebration as we know it today was enacted on June 16, 1954 when John Ryan, the artist and founder of Envoy Magazine, held a day-long pilgrimage in honor of Leopold Bloom's, James Joyce's protagonist, day-long journey around Dublin in Ulysses on the same day, 1904. On this day, Ryan rented several carts, gave his friends roles from the book, and re-enacted many of the famous scenes from Ulysses. While the pilgrimage was cut short due to heavy inebriation among many of the celebrants, the response to these festivities was so positive that many other celebrations and readings were held in the years following.

Ulysses has inspired so many people and literary aficionados from around the world, that you will be hard-pressed to find a major city or town that does not host its very own Bloomsday. From Auckland, New Zealand, to the Hungarian town of Szombathely, literary admirers have stepped out to the streets on June 16th relive and honor one of Ireland's most famous and esteemed authors, James Joyce. Cities like Spokane, Washington, hosts its very own 12-kilometer Bloomsday race, while celebrated actors come together on Broadway in New York City to re-enact some of Ulysses' most famous excerpts. In Ireland, Bloomsday has become something of a national holiday, where the James Joyce Centre of North Great George's Street in Dublin hosts many cultural activities, including readings, re-enactments, and musical merriment. Revelers may toast a pint or two at Davy's Pub, the one of Bloom's fictional stops. Often, Dublin City will host a full-fledged celebration for all visitors, serving free Irish breakfasts and providing readings, cultural performances, and vendors all day.

If you'd like to partake in Bloomsday, but can't make it to Dublin, check your local literature circles, Irish pubs, and cultural centers for Bloomsday festivities. If there is not one in your hometown, consider hosting your own! It may turn into an annual local celebration. With the right tools, participants, and venue, your Bloomsday can become one that is looked forward to every year.

For more information, please contact your local newspaper or Irish cultural center