Talk Story: A Golden Mountain Odyssey
About this Event
The 1882 Foundation is celebrating America's 250th birthday with a series of events that celebrate Chinese American contributions to the American story. In this Talk Story, we will talk with Veronica Li and Sverrir Sigurdsson, whose historical fiction novel 1882: A Gold Mountain Odyssey dramatizes the experience of the first wave of Chinese immigrants in mid-1800s America.. Through the eyes of protagonist Sam Wong, Li and Sigurdsson bring to life the courage, hardship, and resilience of Chinese immigrants who helped build this nation. Sam's journey serves as a humanizing window into a chapter of American history that is both deeply painful and profoundly inspiring.
Joining the conversation is community leader, Stan Lou, who will offer additional historical context and insight into this transformative era of Chinese American history.
Event Schedule
- 1:45 PM - Doors Open
- 2:00 PM - Author lecture
- 2:30 PM - Community Discussion and Q&A
- 3:00 PM - Book Signing
Cost of book purchase is $20. Cash, paypal and credit card accepted.
Presenters
Veronica Li immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong as a teenager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s degree in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University. She has worked as a journalist and a World Bank project officer, and is currently a writer. Her three previously published titles are: Nightfall in Mogadishu, Journey across the Four Seas: A Chinese Woman’s Search for Home, and Confucius Says: A Novel. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and coauthor, Sverrir Sigurdsson. Her website is www.veronicali.com. Her book, Journey Across the Four Seas, a memoir of her mother’s life, has been featured on C Span of Book TV.
Sverrir Sigurdsson grew up in Iceland and graduated from Finland as an architect. He pursued an international career that took him to the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the U.S. His assignments focused on school construction and improving education in developing countries. He has worked for private companies and international organizations, including UNESCO and the World Bank. He is the author of Viking Voyager: An Icelandic Memoir.
Stan Lou brings a lifelong commitment to community engagement and heritage preservation to his role as Talk Story Program Director. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, to immigrant parents from China, his personal journey has deeply shaped his dedication to strengthening Asian Pacific American communities. Stan was part of the group that created the Talk Story series, which now serves as a cornerstone of the 1882 Foundation’s community engagement efforts, bringing together diverse voices to share lived experiences and preserve collective memory.
About Us
The 1882 Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the history, experiences, and contributions of Chinese Americans are recognized, preserved, and included in the American story.
Learn more here: https://1882foundation.org
Questions? Please reach out to [email protected]
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
