Shakespeare collection to be displayed at Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A 400-year-old collection of William Shakespeare's plays will be on display at the University of Notre Dame this month.

The national exhibit called "First Folio! The Book that Gave us Shakespeare," curated by Washington's Folger Shakespeare Library, opens Wednesday at the rare books and special collections gallery of the Hesburgh Library on the campus in South Bend, Indiana. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 29.

A first folio is the term used to describe the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays. It was published in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare died. Officials said two of Shakespeare's fellow actors compiled 36 of his plays, including "Macbeth" and "The Tempest, hoping to preserve them for future generations.

Notre Dame plans a yearlong series of performances, conferences and special events commemorating Shakespeare.

Celebrations, exhibitions and festivals are being held around England and in other places this year to mark 500 years since Shakespeare's death on April 23, 1616.