Until 1989, Andrei Codrescu was blacklisted in Romania, the land of his birth. His name could not even be mentioned in crossword puzzles.

Since his recent pardon, Codrescu made a trip back to Romania to view the aftermath of the December 1989 uprising against deposed dicator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Tomorrow, in conjunction with the Slavic Folk Festival, the emigre poet will give a lecture titled "The Hole in the Flag: An Account of the Romanian Revolution of 1989" at 3:30 p.m. in 101 Kern Building. At 8 p.m. in the same room, he will read from his poetry. Codrescu's lecture comes as part of the Emigre Voices program, which has brought several Eastern European authors and poets to campus this semester.

Emigre Voices organizer Jeff Lipkis describes Codrescu's writing as surreal and jawing, explaining that it skips around from personal experience to politics to popular culture.

"(His writing) moves between dizzying and funny," Lipkis said, demonstrating his point by reading an excerpt from Codrescu's poem, "Comrade Past and Mister Present."

Lipkis said he believes Codrescu will interest students because the public is curious about the recent changes occurring in Eastern Europe.

Joe Schall, a writing tutor in College Earth and Mineral Science, credits Codrescu with aiding his start in fiction writing. About 10 years ago, Schall as a student met Codrescu, then a writer-in-residence at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa. Codrescu's down-to-earth personality and innovative, open teaching techniques inspired his writing.

Schall is now a published author.

Peter Schneeman, associate professor of English and comparative literature, had recommended Codrescu for Emigre Voices, and said Codrescu should appeal to college students.

Currently Codrescu, 45, teaches English at Louisiana State University and is heard weekly on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered." He is the author of 15 volumes of poetry and prose, including two volumes of autobiography.