Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities

Presented by Humanities Nebraska (HN) and the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues, “A Conversation with Amy Tan” was free and open to the public at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln and live-streamed on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Tan, a widely acclaimed best-selling author, spoke on her many books, all of which have shone light on the human experience from fresh perspectives.

Born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from China, Tan’s first best-selling novel was “The Joy Luck Club,” which is a look at the immigration experience from the perspective of mothers and daughters. Other New York Times best-sellers followed, including “The Kitchen God’s Wife,” “The Hundred Secret Senses,” “The Bonesetter’s Daughter,” “Saving Fish from Drowning,” and “The Valley of Amazement.” Tan is also the author of two children’s books, a memoir, and other works. In keeping with her love of science and childhood love of doodling, she recently took up nature journal sketching. Her new book, “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” (Knopf, 2024), debuted at #1 on the ABA’s Indie bestseller list and was called “delightful” by the New York Times. She received the National Humanities Medal in 2021.

Co-chaired by Connie Duncan and Andy Pollock, the 2024 Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities is the 29th consecutive year that Humanities Nebraska has brought an outstanding national speaker to Nebraska to give a free public talk on topics related to the humanities.  It also kicked off the 37th year of the E.N. Thompson Forum lecture series. Prior to Amy Tan’s free public talk, the 2024 Sower Award in the Humanities was presented during Humanities Nebraska’s benefit reception and dinner at Embassy Suites. The Sower Award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to the public understanding of the humanities in Nebraska.