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LCC International University > News and Events archive > Student initiated journal “Calliope”

Student initiated journal “Calliope”

2021-10-28

Presenting “Calliope,” a student initiative - student literary and art journal. This initiative was started in the fall of 2020 by LCC student, Polina Gracheva and previous faculty member, Tracy Haney Finch. Polina is in her senior year, studying English Language and Literature, and is the Editor-in-Chief for “Calliope”. Tracy is a former professor at LCC, having taught Academic Writing, Creative Nonfiction, and Arts & Culture courses, and is the faculty advisor for the journal. The goal at “Calliope” is to provide a platform for students to share their creative works, initiate discussions about art, and publicize their thoughts and worldviews.

When asked about the name of the journal, Polina shares that it was her idea for the name. She says “Calliope is one of the muses in Greek mythology. She was a patron of epic poetry and eloquence. She was also believed to have helped Homer create his masterpieces, so why should we expect less? I felt that the muse could be a great symbol for us.” As the advisor, Tracy agreed and said she has always liked the sound of that word. This is how the journal became known as “Calliope”.

The “Calliope” team has 14 members from 9 different countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, and the US. Additionally, the journal has five departments within it which include Art and Design, Creative Nonfiction, Creative Research, Marketing Poetry, and Fiction.

The students were glad to share their experience working in “Calliope”. An English major from Ukraine, Khrystyna Moroz, shares, “art is my language to communicate with the world and reflect my inner self. Being the Art Director in the journal is a great chance for me to apply my artistic knowledge and experience. “Calliope” is a platform where I can be honest and open in front of the public.” Another student shares about her exceeded expectations when working in the journal. Fourth-year student from Ukraine, Liudmyla Germanyuk, comments, “It turned out even better than I expected as I have had a chance to meet many wonderful people and see the world through their perspectives.” Farida Alimi, a student from Afghanistan, would encourage all to read “Calliope” as it includes the amazing works of many talented students. She believes that the journal quality has improved since the team first began, and is excited to see how the journal will continue to grow and develop. Another English department student from Georgia and the Editor of Poetry and Fiction at “Calliope,” Lile Kobaliani, rejoices in having the opportunity to see the creative side of other students. She adds that journals such as “Calliope,” “allow authors to share their interests, passions, personal stories, and sometimes even the most secretive, personal aspects of their lives, communicating them to a larger audience. It creates the invisible thread of trust and understanding, of sensing another’s vision and experience, that brings people together.” This journal even attracts the artists who prefer to remain anonymous but still want to share their works of art with others.

Faculty Advisor, Tracy Haney Finch, delights in the work that the “Calliope” team has done. She noted that she had some of the students in her classes early in their LCC studies, and now she sees them contributing in the “Calliope” journal. Tracy praises all of the students, but she is especially proud of Polina for her great initiative and the hard work she put in making “Calliope” happen. “Polina took a strong lead in marketing and recruiting editors for the different genres included in the journal. Last year and this year both, we have a strong team who cares about writing and art. Each member contributes something unique to the project.”

Tracy ended, stating that “‘Calliope’ represents the best of LCC – diverse voices coming together to create something new and beautiful.”

 

Find “Calliope” journal on their social media platforms.

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