20th Annual Moby Dick Marathon

Every January, the world’s largest whaling museum marks the anniversary of Herman Melville’s 1841 whaling voyage from New Bedford with a 25-hour nonstop reading of Melville's novel, Moby Dick. The weekend includes three days of activities, including a ticketed buffet dinner and lecture on Friday evening.

A midwinter tradition, the marathon attracts hundreds of readers and listeners from around the world. The reading begins at noon on Saturday, January 9 and finishes at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 10. Snow and cold will not stop this literary happening. Come at any time; leave at any time, or stay 25 hours and win a prize!

In past years, up to 150 readers have participated in the annual reading. Some read in Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Danish, Spanish, or French, followed by that same passage in English. Readers included descendants of Herman Melville and their families, professors, fishermen, schoolteachers, selectmen, students, journalists, legislators, physicians, clergy, and other lovers of Melville and Moby Dick.

Children’s Mini-Marathon returns this year! Children ages eight and older are invited to read excerpts from the abridged version of Moby-Dick on Saturday, January 9, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

New this year: A companion reading in Portuguese will take place on Saturday, January 9 in the Bourne Building from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Time slots are 3-5 minutes. Portuguese radio stations will stream this reading live!

All those interested in reading are invited may sign up here: www.whalingmuseum.org/programs/moby-dick-marathon-20th-anniversary-2016#signup