Wichita State University will host the Wichita Vortex Anniversary, a celebration recognizing the three weeks poet Allen Ginsberg spent in Wichita writing his finest anti-war poem, "Wichita Vortex Sutra."

Ginsberg was traveling through Wichita in 1966 with his friends Peter and Julius Orlovsky on a cross-country trip sponsored by a $6,000 Guggenheim grant awarded to Ginsburg in 1965. While here, he wrote the poem “Wichita Vortex Sutra” and read it at WSU on Feb. 21, 1966.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, in the room 233 of the Rhatigan Student Center at WSU.

A panel made up of Roger Irwin, retired professor of comparative religions; Dan Rouser, a former “Wichita Eagle and Beacon” staff member; James W. Johnson, independent curator; and Jay Price, professor of history, who will moderate the event. They will discuss the chronology of Ginsburg’s stay and present accounts from participants of the readings.

Jedd Beaudoin, KMUW’s award-winning host, will read “Wichita Vortex Sutra” following the discussion.

A reception at the Ulrich Museum of Art will follow the event.