National Library of Scotland June to September Events listings
Events & Exhibition listings from June to September for the National Library of Scotland.
EXHIBITIONS
26 June - 11 October
THE ORIGINAL EXPORT:
STORIES OF SCOTTISH EMIGRATION
Travel with the Scots who left their homeland in search of a new life abroad. This exhibition, in celebration of Homecoming 2009, explores the experience of emigration and how new communities were forged overseas, while still retaining strong Scottish identities. First-hand accounts from our collections of emigrants' correspondence and journals will be brought to life with music, song, poetry, film, maps, artefacts and a wide range of colourful brochures, posters and other promotional material designed to entice Scots to build new lives in the new world. See the different transport that settlers used to make their journey and how they settled in when they arrived, building their homes in cities or by working the land. How did they build their communities and entertain themselves? How did they preserve their Scottish culture and adapt to new ones, and what was the experience of returning home like?
11 July - 31 August
ZIG-ZAG: THE PATHS OF
ROBERT BURNS
Venue: Gracefield Arts Centre Studios, 28 Edinburgh Road, Dumfries
Bringing together some of the 36,000 objects forming Scotland's national collection about Robert Burns, this major touring exhibition celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national bard. Pictures, sound and the poet's own words combine to show how Burns consciously created his own myth. The exhibition is part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations which marks the anniversary of Burns' birth and celebrates some of Scotland's other great contributions to the world: Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations, and our rich culture and heritage.
20 June - 20 September
THE CLYDE: FILMS OF THE RIVER 1912 - 1971
Venue: The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Street, Glasgow
Following the hugely popular exhibitions Sadness and Gladness and Films of the Glasgow Empire Exhibition, the Scottish Screen Archive at NLS has again collaborated with the Lighthouse on an exhibition focusing on the River Clyde. Watch rarely-seen amateur and professional films together with recently recorded interviews of people's memories of the Clyde. An associated programme of events and activities accompany the exhibition. For admission prices and more information visit www.thelighthouse.co.uk
25 June - 28 August
Display
Spanish Civil War Display
A chance to see items relating to Scotland's role in the Spanish Civil War, as featured in Daniel Gray's book, Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War, and now an STV documentary series, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the historic conflict.
EVENTS
Booking information
Booking is strongly recommended. You can do so online here: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
30 June 7pm
Talk
The Global Scot: Emigration, Empire and Impact
The British Empire was the largest the world has ever known, ruling over 750 million subjects in 1914. Scots were significantly over-represented in this global imperial project as governors, merchants, educators, soldiers, administrators and much else. Professor Tom Devine OBE explains how a small country came to have such an extraordinary influence on world development.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
7 July 7pm
Talk
Inspirations at NLS: In Which MacDiarmid Meets Winnie-the-Pooh, and Dr Jekyll is not Quite at Ease
James Robertson is a writer of fiction and poetry for adults and children, whose work includes the novels Joseph Knight and The Testament of Gideon Mack, as well as translations into Scots of children's classics by Roald Dahl and A.A. Milne. In this talk he discusses three major influences on his own writing, and their unlikely connections: the poetry of Hugh MacDiarmid, Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, and Robert Louis Stevenson's tale of the divided self, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
16 July 6.30pm
The Rugged Island: A Shetland Lyric
Tickets £5 available online or by calling the events line on 0131 623 3918.
This beautifully poetic documentary, written, directed and filmed by Jenny Gilbertson, tells the story of a young couple who are torn between the choice of emigration to Australia or remaining to work their croft in Shetland. Gilbertson was one of Scotland's film pioneers who worked hundreds of miles from the cutting room floors of London's Soho, but belonged to the documentary tradition of the 1930s established by the ‘father of documentary' John Grierson.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
22 July 6pm
Reading group
NLS Reading Group
Following his Inspirations talk on 7 July, James Robertson will lead a discussion on Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a story which everybody thinks they know, even if they haven't read it, but which reveals hidden depths on almost every page.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
23 July 7pm
Dramatic Talk
The Reception of ‘Origins'
In our second dramatic exploration of the impact of Darwin's ‘Origin of Species', Peter Arnott and his actors will interrogate contemporary documents to ask not so much, ‘Why were Darwin's ideas resisted?', but rather, ‘How on earth did they ever get accepted?', and how did a version of those same ideas lead from eugenics to extermination?
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
25 August Time TBC
Lecture
The 2009 Donald Dewar Memorial Lecture
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Venue: RBS Main Theatre, Charlotte Square
Tickets will go on sale 22 June.
Booking and further information at www.edbookfest.co.uk
Now in its eighth year, the Donald Dewar Memorial Lecture is one of the highlights of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Previous speakers have included the Right Hon Alex Salmond MSP, Andrew Marr and Robin Cook. The 2009 speaker will continue in this tradition of distinguished political minds. This is an event not to be missed.
3 September 7pm
Lecture
Devolution and the Diaspora
Dr Duncan Sim looks at how devolution has impacted on Scotland's long-term relationship with its Diaspora. The establishment of the Scottish Parliament has given Scotland the opportunity to engage positively with its Diaspora, as seen with Tartan Week abroad, in the development of overseas business, and with the Homecoming Scotland initiative. How do these initiatives encourage Scots to return 'home', and to enhance the sense of Scottish identity?
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
9 September 7pm
Talk
Moving out: The Extension and Expansion of Scottish Intelligence
Renowned Poet Kenneth White explores what he sees as an endemic urge in the Scot to cross territories and open up new cultural space. He will examine the itineraries of a line of Scots, ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The talk will then take a more personal turn, with White speaking of his moves in Europe, Asia and America, concentrating on France.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
15 September 7pm
Talk
Inspirations at NLS: Where do you get your Ideas from?
This is the single most-asked question at book shop readings and literary festivals, one so over-familiar as to induce embarrassed cringing on the part of the seasoned event-goer, but for that, one that is seldom honestly answered. For one night only, Christopher Brookmyre will ‘fess up' and reveal the voices behind the voices in his head, citing his inspirations, from Asterix to Aristophanes, James Bond to Billy Connolly.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
24 September 6.30pm
NLS Film Club
Screening: Angelou on Burns
Tickets £5 available online or by calling the events line on 0131 623 3918.
'On the dirt roads of Arkansas I first met Robert Burns.' Dr Maya Angelou, the African American poet and writer, discovered Robert Burns when she was eight. Scottish director Elly Taylor captures Dr Angelou's strength, passion and wonder in this beautifully filmed documentary, which records Dr Angelou's work and teaching in the States and her trip to Ayrshire where she meets the local Burnsians who welcome her to a party in honour of her visit and Burns' genius. There will be a Q&A with director Elly Taylor after the screening.
30 September 7pm
Talk
The King of Madison Avenue
With his book The King of Madison Avenue, former Ogilvy & Mather CEO Kenneth Roman delivers the first-ever biography of David Ogilvy. The original ‘Mad Man', Ogilvy was a legend in the advertising world, mastering his craft and the business of life with a sparkle that will live on for generations. Kenneth worked directly with Ogilvy for 26 years and is perfectly positioned to detail the life events, decisions and values that made Ogilvy the leader he was, and why his example is still relevant today.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
6 July 6pm
19 August 2pm
15 September 10am
Beyond Google: An Introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online
Reader Workshop
Learn how to access hundreds of quality reference books online. This workshop provides a basic introduction to the key features of these two major online resources.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
9 July 10am
11 August 2pm
7 September 6pm
Reader workshop
Getting Started at NLS
Learn how to register as a Reader, find your way around the Library, request materials and find out about other services. The workshop includes a tour of the Reading Rooms.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
8 July 10.30am
3 August 2pm
10 September 6pm
Reader workshop
Discovering Family History at NLS
Find out what resources the Library holds to help you with your family history research. The workshop includes some practical information on how to become a Reader and a short tour of the public areas.
Book online: http://www.nls.uk/events/index.html, call 0131 623 3918 or e-mail events@nls.uk.
Walking Tour
19 August 6.30pm
Exhibition tour
In the Loop: a tour of the exhibition, The Original Export: Stories of Scottish Emigration, for people who are hard of hearing. A free portable loop will be available.
To book a place on this tour, please contact Artlink on 0131 229 3555, typetalk on 018001 229 3555 or email susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
In partnership with Artlink.
