Sat 5 Dec - INVISIBLE MESSAGE - Sooz Belnavis and Giles Abbott

Artist Sooz Belnavis and storyteller Giles Abbott reflect on the power of story in both visual and oral traditions, to reflect on issues of our time. Discussing myths we live with in 21st century media and how Sooz and Giles use art to reveal beliefs hidden behind the headlines.

With Alice Foster and Rebecca Feiner.

Sat 28 Nov - SUN SPOT: Simon Barraclough on Solar Science and Art

The sun is not just the most important source of energy for life on earth. Poet Simon Barraclough discusses its fiery radiance in science and art and performs moments from his collection and stage show, 'Sunspots'. News-song beamed straight from the centre of our solar system. UV filters recommended.


'Sunspots' is published by Penned in the Margins

http://www.pennedinthemargins.co.uk/index.php/2015/01/sunspots/

"Simon Barraclough illuminates solar science with a poet’s gaze. His words conjure the epic journey of a photon from the Sun’s heart to the retina of the eye, the blaze of sunshine in a Van Gogh canvas or the daily slide of shadows over Stonehenge and Manhattan. Sunspots is a love letter from the third planet to its parent star."

Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer, Royal Observatory Greenwich

 

"Throughout human history, the Earth’s parent star has been an object of fascination, study, myth-making and worship. In Sunspots, Simon Barraclough explores these various identities through poetry, deftly juggling science and art … Accessible as well as erudite."

Physics World

Sat 21 Nov - Warren Dockter on Churchill and the Islamic World

Dr Warren Dockter on Winston Churchill.and the Islamic World. Discussing orientalism, empire and diplomacy. Through writings, personal and public, Dockter looks at Churchill's alliances and strategies. His research reframes our knowledge of the twentieth century origins of forces that continue to shape our world today. Letters of vision and division.

with Jude Cowan Montague

Sat 14 Nov - Chris Beckett - Praise, Courage and Hope in Ethiopia

The poet Chris Beckett, grew up mostly in Ethiopia and has a lifelong interest in Amharic culture.  He provides an informed perspective on coverage in the UK news and reads from his collection The Ethiopian Boy. Praise poetry, music and the rich oral culture of Ethiopia will be discussed alongside issues of human rights and governance.

The Ethiopian Boy is published by Carcanet Press.

with Jude Cowan Montague

Sat 7 Nov - Self-publishing in 2015 and Early Modern Pamphleteering: Dan Holloway

Dan Holloway and Jude Cowan Montague discuss self-publishing literature and early modern pamphleteers including the Elizabethan Thomas Nashe in a programme connecting proto-journalism with contemporary platforms such as tumblr, blogging and kindle. Dan Holloway is a literary agitator, author and outspoken guru of this DIY wordsmith generation. The latest in our occasional series on early journalism.

 

Sat 31 Oct - Leila Segal and Raquel Ribeiro - Cuba and the short story

Leila Segal introduces her new collection, 'Breathe'. Her stories are told from varied points of view but each has an emotional authenticity she acquired through her experiences in Cuba, having lived in the deep countryside as well as in Havana and tourist areas. Also, Dr Raquel Ribeiro on the generation los novismos cubanos and the work of Angel Santiesteban-Prats, imprisoned for journalism and creative writing. His latest collection, 'Last Symphony' is currently available in Spanish.

with Jude Cowan Montague

Sat 24 Oct - Typical Girls Magazine: Jamila Kenneally

The women behind the new Brighton-based magazine Typical Girls share their work and reflect on how young women interact with the media in 2015 as both producer and consumer. Typical Girls take their moniker from the Slits, and discuss ways to challenge homogeneity.

What does it mean to be a Typical Girl? The magazine website writes ...

There is no one way of answering that question. The Slits wrote of 'bringing out the new improved model' and that's what Typical Girls is all about. We want to celebrate women in all their variations. What makes Typical Girls unique is our aspiration towards diversity. Created as a platform for artists and writers to share their work; Typical Girls is a place to inspire and be inspired.