DUBLIN -- One hundred years ago today is the day described in arguably the greatest novel of the 20th century, James Joyce's "Ulysses." June 16, 1904, was when Joyce's hero, Leopold Bloom, set out on a meandering stroll through Dublin, and the date is now celebrated worldwide as Bloomsday.
In Dublin, events to mark the centenary continue until the end of August, and Japan, too, is feting the occasion (see boxed details).
Highlights of the celebrations include an exhibition at the National Library of 19 previously unknown Joyce draft notebooks (bought for 12.6 million yen in 2002), and, being held this week, the 19th International James Joyce Symposium. On June 19, an arts installation project on the River Liffey titled "Elijah is Coming!" celebrates Dublin's most famous literary son and the city where he set all his works.