The Gift: A multilingual, immersive reading experience at Yale Schwarzman Center

Yale Schwarzman Center invites the community to experience The Gift, an interactive event in which participants gather in a music-filled Commons to explore an all-ages illustrated book inspired by the astrophysics research of Dr. Natalie Gosnell. This unique program, presented in multiple languages—English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, as well as a tactile version accompanied by an English audio description—connects astrophysics research to poignant universal themes of loss, transformation, and renewal.

The event is free and open to the public, taking place on April 17, 2025, from 6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. in Commons, located within Yale Schwarzman Center. Admission is on a rolling basis, and while the experience is expected to last approximately 15 minutes, readers are invited to engage at their own pace. This program is suitable for all ages, but participants 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"The Gift is a gift—a gift of time and a gift of presence. In asking us to slow down, even for just 15 minutes, to sit with a book in almost childlike wonder, The Gift allows us to have both a profoundly personal and a shared communal experience," remarked Jennifer Harrison Newman, associate artistic director, Yale Schwarzman Center. "It makes legible the power of combining science and art, reflecting the collaborative spirit at the heart of our mission."

Earlier that day, the Schwarzman Center will host an in-depth conversation around The Gift and its potential applications across fields such as palliative care, public health, and community wellness. This conversation will include a preview of the experience beginning at 12p.m. No registration is required for the preview.

"The Gift exemplifies our commitment to free, public programming that fosters inclusivity and cross-disciplinary collaboration at Yale Schwarzman Center," said Rachel Fine, executive director. "By uniquely bridging the arts, humanities, sciences, and wellness, we break down silos and create enriching experiences that invite everyone to engage with timely themes that resonate across the campus and the wider community."

The Gift is a collaborative project between Janani Balasubramanian, Gosnell, and Andrew Kircher, PhD. The book features artwork by Amy Myers and design by Katie Hodge. The original sound score is by Tina-Hanaé Miller and arranged by Solomon Hoffman. This tender story and playful experience heed the call of anthropologist Emily Martin to “wake up the sleeping metaphors in science.”