Moby-Dick Marathon returns to New Bedford Whaling Museum

Standard-Times
·2 min read

NEW BEDFORD — The 27th Annual Moby-Dick Marathon is returning to the New Bedford Whaling Museum live for the first time since 2020, for a unique 25-hour read-a-thon of Herman Melville’s literary masterpiece. The New Bedford Whaling Museum partners with the Melville Society Cultural Project for the beloved event, which kicks off with a ticketed dinner and lecture on Friday, Jan. 6, continuing Jan. 7 through 8 with a variety of free-to-attend events.

Nestled in and around a half-scale replica of a 19th-century whaling ship, this mid-winter tradition marks Melville’s 1841 departure from the Port of New Bedford aboard the whaleship Acushnet. Melville would later pen "Moby-Dick," publishing the famous novel in 1851.

Cinema:How did 'Moby-Dick' get its title? This filmmaker reimagines the Herman Melville tale

“Melville’s spirit echoes throughout New Bedford,” says New Bedford Whaling Museum CEO Amanda Mullen. “Attendees have an opportunity to walk the same cobblestone streets that he did, to hear segments of his masterpiece read aloud by scholars, students, and community members, and to participate in the many fun events we have in store. There’s nothing like the Moby-Dick Marathon at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and we encourage everyone to join us as we return to an in-person event.”

The 27th Annual Moby Dick Marathon returns to the New Bedford Whaling Museum in January.
The 27th Annual Moby Dick Marathon returns to the New Bedford Whaling Museum in January.

Limited tickets are available for the kick-off event which begins at 5 p.m. Jan. 6, with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner and then a lively presentation by Aileen Callahan, an esteemed local artist and professor.  The talk, titled “Seeing Twice,” will explore aspects of visual perception and art elements that artists encounter when working with Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. Tickets must be purchased by Dec. 30 are $65 for members and $75 for non-members and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3HCP73A.

Aside from the marathon reading of Moby-Dick cover to cover, attendees can participate in Stump the Scholars, a game show where readers try to outwit the Melville Scholars, a children’s story time and scavenger hunt, and an intimate portion of the Marathon following the opening chapters in the Seaman’s Bethel, which includes the singing of “The Ribs and Terrors in the Whale,” and the reading of Father Mapple’s sermon. For a complete listing of events visit https://www.whalingmuseum.org/program/moby-dick-marathon-2023.

In-person attendees can also view Moby Dick in Days of Pestilence and Chaos, an exhibition of seventy watercolor interpretations of contamination, contagion, and fear of the unknown inspired by descriptions in Melville’s Moby-Dick – from the mind of Boston-based artist Aileen Callahan. The exhibition will be on view from December 22, 2022, through February 26, 2023.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. For more information visit https://www.whalingmuseum.org.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" will be read in a 25-Hour marathon