The Beat Generation in Paris

In the 1940s a group of young poets rebelled against the conventions of mainstream American life. They rejected the values of capitalism and conformity and chose to live on the fringes of society. While most of the nation was chasing the American Dream, these young men were searching for self-fulfillment, their dreams fueled by poetry, sex and drugs. They created what would become the Beat Generation. What started out as an underground movement slowly percolated into mainstream society, laying the groundwork for the youth movements of the 1960s and 70s. The Beats lived in Paris for close to 7 years, drawn by the city’s artistic atmosphere, its freedom of expression and what Allen Ginsberg called “the bewildering beauty of Paris”. Come walk with me as we follow in the footsteps of Ginsberg, Burroughs, Kerouac and their companions. Along the way we will learn about the Beat movement through examples of their art and poetry. And we'll discuss how their work has changed modern American culture.