Galena LitFest: The Work of Poetry

Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte (Turtle Mountain Band Anishinaabe) will present a night of poetry and conversation in partnership with the Galena Public Library and the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation.

This is a hybrid program. Mark Turcotte will present in-person at. Mąą Pįį in the historic Hess House. There is also the option to Zoom in and view the presentation virtually. When registering choose in-person or virtual attendance. Virtual attendees will recieve a separate email with the Zoom link.

Anyone who would like to learn more about the Mąą Pįį Preserve and Hess House is welcome to arrive at 5:30 pm for an informal meet and greet with JDCF staff.

Named in July 2025 as 6th Illinois Poet Laureate, Mark Turcotte is the author of several books, including The Feathered Heart and Exploding Chippewas. His work has appeared in many national and international literary journals and anthologies, including the new and first ever Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry. His poem, “Dear New Blood,” was recently featured on the poetry podcast, Poetry Unbound. He lives in Chicago, and since 2009, has been Senior Lecturer and Distinguished-Writer-In-Residence in the English Dept at DePaul University.

The Mąą Pįį (“Good Earth” in the Ho-Chunk language) Preserve is a place that welcomes all people to gather, learn, and participate; where conservation science and Indigenous cultural knowledge come together through land, food, and community. The historic 1885 Hess House has been re-purposed to create a space that can host programs year-round regardless of weather.

Galena LitFest 2026 is the twelfth annual literary festival organized and funded by the Galena Public Library with support from the Friends of the Galena Public Library and in partnership with the Galena Center for the Arts, Champagne on Main, Galena Cellars, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. Events will take place throughout January in-person and virtually.

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