University Archives - Page 5 of 10

New Dickens Fellowship Group To Meet at University

Jun 222012

By Nicola McNally.

On Tuesday 26th June the Aberdeen Dickens Fellowship group will meet at the University of Aberdeen King’s College campus, to launch their 2012 programme of events.

The meeting will be hosted by Dr Paul Schlicke, honorary senior lecturer at Aberdeen University.

Dr Schlicke told Aberdeen Voice:

“The meeting will consist of an informal seminar discussion of Dickens’s life. No prior knowledge of the topic will be required and no preparation expected. I shall lead the discussion myself and will welcome questions and contributions from everyone present. There will be no charge for admission, and everyone interested is most welcome.

“Then in September we’ll hold our next event, when we will discuss the group of sketches entitled ‘Our Parish’ from Sketches by Boz, and members will be invited to read favourite passages from Dickens, chosen by themselves.

“Thereafter we plan to schedule a series of seminars on topics under the general heading ‘Dickens and’—that is, Dickens and Money, Dickens and Charity, Dickens and Education, etcetera.

“We’ll have one meeting devoted to Dickens and Aberdeen. He came to give public readings on two occasions, turned down an invitation to stand for rector of Marischal College, and published an article in his journal Household Words about the local legend of the ‘Downie Slauchter’. We also plan to have a viewing of Aberdeen University’s magnificent Dickens collection.

“The essential point is that we should meet in fellowship; it is not intended to be an academic organisation, but rather a meeting of people who simply enjoy reading and talking about Dickens and his works. Anyone is welcome to participate”.

To find the venue:

The MacRobert Building is the tall building on the corner of King Street and St Machar Drive . There is ample parking adjacent to the building, free after 4.30pm. The entrance is on the south side of the building (i.e., facing in the direction up King Street towards the city. On entering the building, turn left and then through the doors on your right, and down the corridor for lifts.

Future events which have been arranged will also feature the actress Miriam Margolyes who will be at the University presenting her one-woman show, “Dickens’s Women” on 30th August. Tickets for that event are available from the Aberdeen Box Office on Union Street .

For further information contact p.schlicke@abdn.ac.uk or visit the new website at https://sites.google.com/site/aberdeendickensfellowship/

Great Expectations Of City Dickens Fellowship Group

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 142012

Interested in joining the new Aberdeen branch of the Dickens Fellowship? According to the Fellowship, the Aberdeen branch is their first in Scotland. As highlighted in Voice’s previous article: A Tale of Two Centuries, a successful inaugural meeting was held on Tuesday 12th June in the city’s Belmont Theatre. Aberdeen Voice’s Nicola McNally went along to the event to find out what the local branch were planning.

The first meeting was set up following a successful spring programme of Dickens lectures, film showings and readings at the University’s King’s College campus and the Belmont Cinema.

The branch is being hosted and organised by the renowned Dr Paul Schlicke, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a Trustee of The Charles Dickens Museum.

The local literati who attended the first meeting included students, academics and assorted curious Aberdeen Voice readers who turned out to support this first meeting dedicated to the works of Charles Dickens, journalist and prolific author.

Future activities planned for the Aberdeen group will include films, lectures, readings, parties and some themed evenings such as: Dickens and Film; Dickens and Money; Dickens and Women and Dickens and Social Reform.

Dr Schlicke recommended:

“The Aberdeen group could wait a year before affiliating with Dickens Fellowship headquarters“.

He asked the group to consider: what the Aberdeen Dickens Fellowship branch should be for: (parties/ social events or more formal lectures and readings), how often they would like to meet; and possible venues for the branch meetings. It was decided that monthly meetings would be held with a variety of activities.

The choice of a Dickens text for the group to discuss at the September meet was not easy! The group’s options ranged from topical novels such as ‘Hard Times’ or ‘Bleak House’ in these times of austerity… or possibly one of the ‘blockbusters’: David Copperfield or Great Expectations? A Tale of Two Cities or Oliver Twist?

The decision was made and the text for summer holiday reading, for those who choose to accept the challenge, is to be the excellent Sketches by Boz.

The group noted that city centre venues are better for some meetings but the University of Aberdeen campus, and in particular, the library, would allow the group to use lecture and film facilities as well as visit the Dickens Special collection in the University library.

The next meeting is being planned for Tuesday 26th June at 7pm in Room 301, MacRobert Building, Aberdeen University. This will feature an introductory lecture on the biography of Dickens by Dr Schlicke, followed by informal discussion. If you’d like to attend, please email Dr Schlicke on p.schlicke@abdn.ac.uk to confirm a place or for further information on the Fellowship.

New members with an interest in Dickens and his work will be made very welcome and membership is provisionally free so it is hoped that the Aberdeen group will go from strength to strength. While new branches of The Dickens Fellowship are appearing all over the globe from Canada to Cambridge, your local branch can be found no further than King Street!

A Tale Of Two Centuries As Local Dickens Fans Gather

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 072012

By David Innes.

2012 is the bicentenary year of the birth of Charles Dickens, arguably the English language’s greatest writer.
It is fitting then, that enthusiasts in Aberdeen are making positive moves towards establishing a local branch of the Dickens Fellowship, led by Dr Paul Schlicke, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a Trustee of The Charles Dickens Museum.

Dr Schlicke told Voice,

“I’ve proposed that we have a meeting to discuss dates, times, venue and not least what kinds of activities might be attractive to us as a group.

“Since these are early days, I think we’ll hardly need to consider drafting a constitution or affiliating with the international Dickens Fellowship at this stage, but we do need to decide when, where and how often we wish to meet, and to discuss ideas as to what we might do at our meetings.

“We propose to hold perhaps six evening meetings a year, for lectures, discussions, readings and any other activities, as the local membership decides. Provisionally, membership will be free of charge.

“I stress that although I am myself a retired academic, I don’t envisage scholarship as our primary purpose; rather we should be gathering to share our enjoyment of the Inimitable. Indeed, you don’t need ever to have read a word of Dickens to join in the fun.”

This chimes with the ethos of the international Dickens Fellowship which

“was founded in London in 1902 with its stated aim to ‘knit together, in a common bond of friendship, lovers of the great master of humour and pathos, Charles Dickens’, to spread the love of humanity, to campaign against those social evils that most concerned Dickens, and to assist in the preservation and purchase of buildings and objects associated with his name or mentioned in his works”.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 June at 7pm in the lounge of the Belmont Cinema. Anyone with an interest in Dickens and his work will be made warmly welcome. To help gauge interest, please contact Dr Schlicke at p.schlicke@abdn.ac.uk if you intend coming along or if you want to be kept informed about the Fellowship.

It will be the best of times.

https://sites.google.com/site/aberdeendickensfellowship/
http://www.dickensfellowship.org/

Occupation And Water Rights in Palestine

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 032012

SPSC Aberdeen invite you to an evening with Zayneb Al-Shalafeh, who will be visiting us from Palestine to discuss water rights, the Israeli occupation, the role of women in Palestinian society and grassroots resistance movements. With thanks to Dave Black.

Israel’s policies violate international law: settlement expansion escalates, the apartheid wall steals more Palestinian land, checkpoints & settler-only roads prevent free access.
Palestinian communities are denied the human right to water as they are prevented from maintaining & drilling wells.

Israel also continues to demolish water infrastructure as well as houses, clinics & schools. This leaves the community suffering a miserable life while illegal settlements & farms get thirteen times the amount of water per capita.

Many Palestinians rely on agriculture and raising animals to make their living & water is vital to enable people to exist on their land. Israel uses water as an ethnic-cleansing tool.

Zayneb Al-Shalalfeh works for LifeSource, the Palestinian water rights NGO. Zayneb is a committed activist from Hebron who has worked with many communities to educate and organise popular resistance. As a Palestinian woman she brings her experience of Israeli occupation & human rights violations & an analysis of the solutions to these issues & a focus on international solidarity actions.

The event takes place at 7.30 pm on Sunday May 13th, Room 251, MacRobert Building, University of Aberdeen (non-students welcome)

Collection Of Plants And Insects Open To World-Wide Audience

Aberdeen City, Information, News No Responses »

Apr 122012

With thanks to Jo Milne.

Several of Scotland’s most significant collections of insects and plants can now be viewed online for the first time, after painstaking work by museum staff at the University of Aberdeen to catalogue more than 60,000 bugs and dried plants over the last year.

The University’s Zoology Museum is home to insect collections of national importance, such as the James Duncan collection of c. 10,000 British moths and butterflies, representing around 750 different species, and an almost complete array of macro-moths in Britain.

The Herbarium is one of just two major herbaria in Scotland; the other being the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. University staff have now completed cataloguing type specimens in the Thailand plant collection, polar plants and several thousand British mosses and lichens. The Thai collection is regarded as the second most important collection of its kind in the world.

The project to make the records available online was funded by the Museums Galleries Scotland Recognition Fund to increase public access to these important collections. Thousands of records can now be found and searched online at www.abdn.ac.uk/museums.

Shona Elliott, a curator at the University of Aberdeen who co-led the project, said:

“The data for most of our insects and herbarium specimens could only be seen on their accompanying labels in the museum stores prior to the project, so we’ve taken a big step forward getting so many records online. Numerous users from around the world can now discover the rich variety in our Zoology Museum insect collection, and learn about our internationally important Thai types.”

Joanne Orr, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland, said:

“The varied collections in Scotland’s museums reflect centuries of effort to gather, preserve and educate. They all have an important story to tell us about the past, present and future of the nation. The funds we make available to them allows them to care for their collections and find new and exciting ways to tell us these stories.

“We are delighted to see the progress being made by the University of Aberdeen in making their remarkable Herbarium and Zoology collections available to a worldwide audience.”

Project assistants are now starting work on the next Recognition-funded project which will continue the development of on-line access to the University’s Herbarium and Zoology Museum collections. Amongst the specimens to be catalogued are bird eggs, mammal bones and North American plants. Their records will be put online near the end of this year.

Museums Galleries Scotland manages the Recognition Scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government. The Scheme aims to identify, and subsequently support, collections of national significance held in Scotland’s museums and galleries. For more information on the Recognition Scheme, including a list of the Recognised Collections, visit the Museums Galleries Scotland website.

Renowned Irish Poet Makes First Aberdeen Visit

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Apr 102012

With thanks to Jo Milne.

A renowned Irish poet will read at the University of Aberdeen on Monday (April 16) as part of a British tour. Micheal O’Siadhail, a winner of The Marten Toonder Prize and The Irish American Culture Institute Prize for Literature, will present a selection of his work to students and members of the public at the free event.

O’Siadhail has published 12 collections of poetry including Tongues (2011), Globe (2007), Love Life (2005) and The Gossamer Wall (2002).

He has given poetry readings and broadcast extensively in Ireland, Britain, Europe, North America and Japan.

In 1985 he was invited to give the Vernam Hull Lecture at Harvard and the Trumbull Lecture at Yale University. He represented Ireland at the Poetry Society’s European Poetry Festival in London in 1981 and at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 1997.

Tom Greggs, Professor of Historical and Doctrinal Theology at the University of Aberdeen, said:

“This will be Micheal’s first reading in Aberdeen, and he is a wonderful performer: the readings are exceptionally entertaining, and the new collection of poetry from which he is reading is stellar.

“Even those who have never considered attending a poetry reading before will come away inspired, delighted and moved. It is a rare treat having Micheal at the university, and I hope that both the university community and the broader Aberdeen community will take advantage of the opportunity to hear one of the most important poets of our age.”

The free reading will take place at 7.30pm on Monday April 16 in room KGC8 in King’s Quad, King’s College, University of Aberdeen. Members of the public are welcome to attend and booking is not required.

More info: http://osiadhail.com/home/

Tennis Update 30.04.12

Aberdeen City, Community, Information, Sport No Responses »

Mar 302012

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

A place in the British section of the AEGON Team Tennis competition is up for grabs on Saturday when Rubislaw face Stirling University in Aberdeen with a noon start.

In November Rubislaw became the first club side from the north to lift the AEGON Team Tennis Scotland national league title, following victories over Braid, Milngavie, Strathgryffe, Glasgow Western and Livilands, to see them qualify for the Scottish play-off.

Rubislaw have announced a provisional squad comprising Bruce Strachan, Bruce McIver, Andrew Mott, Martin Harbord and Robert Ainsley, while the students will field Nick Hatchett, Joe Gill, Rihards Emulins and Jordan Mcculloch.

Rubislaw’s ‘Start of Season Fun day’ will take place on Saturday 14th April, with a variety of organised fun activities and games taking place between noon and 5 p.m.

Image credit: © Liz Van Steenburgh | Dreamstime.com

Upcoming Events At Peacock – April/May 2012

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Events, Featured, Information No Responses »

Mar 292012

With thanks to Kylie Roux.

THE OBSIDIAN ISLE – Gayle Chong Kwan

The Obsidian Isle is a significant new body of work from Venice Biennale exhibitor Gayle Chong Kwan. The installation of large-format photographs & sculptures documents a fictional island located off the west coast of Scotland, on which reside one country’s lost and destroyed buildings and places.
The Obsidian Isle explores ideas of collective history, national identity, landscape, and tourism through the prism of the senses and the distortion of memories.

Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

KIN – Gray’s pre-degree show

KIN is an exhibition by Gray’s School of Art’s BA Hons printmaking students.
The exhibition gives an exciting insight into a great variety of different approaches to print and printmaking and showcases a diverse range of works made in preparation for the students’ degree show later in the year. So come along to support the students and see the artistic talents of tomorrow.

Preview Night Friday 23 March | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!
Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

BIG JESSIE – Donald Urquhart

Drag queen turned draughtsman, Donald Urquhart presents Big Jessie, a selection of bold, new hand printed works in his distinctive cartoon-like black ink style, created at Peacock Visual Arts.

To be shown at The Brunswick Hotel, Merchant City, Glasgow.

Preview Thursday 26 April |Brutti Ma Buoni,
The Brunswick Hotel, Merchant City, Glasgow | 7pm – late
Exhibition runs 27 April – 27 May 2012

TEMPORARY ART SCHOOL – Poets in the City Workshop + Meet-up

The Temporary Art School is a one month live project happening throughout the city of Aberdeen in March 2012. TAS was devised by a group of people living and working in both Aberdeen and Glasgow who have come together to put on classes and workshops for all which experiment with what an art school can be and continue in a long tradition of self-organised education.

This Friday Poet Gerard Rochford will be giving a new workshop on the word whether it be spoken, written or sprawled in the streets. Please bring along a poem of two which you have written you would like someone to have a look at it and if you have never written one, in Gerard’s words ‘by the end you will have.’ email atemporaryartschool@gmail.com to reserve a space.

Friday 16 March | 5-9pm

ABERDUINO – Electronic Jiggery-pokery

Aberdeen’s own electronic tinkerers and artist’s hackerspace will be running on the second or third Tuesday of every month from now on – so put the date above in your digi-diary.

Come along if you’re interested in micro-controllers, soldering irons, circuit bending, electronic jiggery-pokery and chin scratching.

Tuesday 17 April | 6.30 – 8.30pm | FREE
*Note – The event is FREE but call us on 01224 639539 to let us know if you’re coming along.

RELIEF PRINTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Come along to try out the oldest form of printmaking. No experience necessary.

Saturday 7 + Sunday 8 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

ETCHING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Learn the techniques and processes involved in the traditional art of etching. No experience necessary.

Saturday 21 + Sunday 22 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

GET ANIMATED AT PEACOCK

Ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit move? Well book onto our animation workshops to find out.

Throughout April, July, August & October | 10 – 4pm | age 10 + | £35

Call 01224 639539 for more information and to book a place on any of our courses.

Land Day Commemoration: Film Screening Of Lemon Tree

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Featured, History, Information, News No Responses »

Mar 242012

With thanks to Dave Watt.

In 1975, as part of a programme to increase the Jewish population in the Galilee (the Judaization of the Gaililee), the Israeli government announced plans to expropriate 20,103 dunams (about 5000 acres) of Palestinian land to make way for twenty new Jewish settlements. In reaction to this, and years of such expropriations, the Palestinian community established a Committee for the Defence of Arab Land.

On March 30th 1976, they called a general strike and mass protest to demonstrate the government’s plans. The excessive force used by Israeli forces against the protests saw 6 Palestinians shot dead and hundreds injured.

Land Day has since come to symbolise Palestinian resistance to Israel’s racist policies and has been commemorated by Palestinians every year since, with thousands of activists taking part in actions around the world to show their solidarity (this year will see the Global March to Jerusalem take place on March 30th).

Aberdeen SPSC invite you to join us on Thursday, March 29th to find out more about Land Day and the land legislation and policies used by the Israeli government to force Palestinians within Israel from their land. A short presentation will be followed by a screening of the film Lemon Tree, which tells the story of a Palestinian woman whose livelihood (her lemon grove) is threatened when the Israeli Defence Minister moves into the house next door.

Lemon Tree Screening and Presentation –

7.30-9.30pm,

March 29th,

Room 051 MacRobert Building,

Aberdeen University (all welcome)

Upcoming Events At Peacock – March/April 2012

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Featured, Information No Responses »

Mar 152012

With thanks to Kylie Roux.

THE OBSIDIAN ISLE – Gayle Chong Kwan

Preview Night Friday 23 March | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!
Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

Event – Gayle Chong Kwan in Conversation

Gayle Chong Kwan in conversation with Dr Dominic Patterson, a lecturer in modern and contemporary art and theory at the University of Glasgow. To reserve your place please email sarah@peacockvisualarts.co.uk or call 01224 639539.

Saturday 24 March | PVA | 3 – 4pm | FREE

KIN – Gray’s pre-degree show

Preview Night Friday 23 March | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!
Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

TEMPORARY ART SCHOOL – Poets in the City Workshop + Meet-up

Friday 16 March | 5-9pm

ABERDUINO – Electronic Jiggery-pokery

Aberdeen’s own electronic tinkerers and artist’s hackerspace will be running on the second or third Tuesday of every month from now on – so put the date above in your digi-diary.

Come along if you’re interested in micro-controllers, soldering irons, circuit bending, electronic jiggery-pokery and chin scratching.

Tuesday 17 April | 6.30 – 8.30pm | FREE
*Note – The event is FREE but call us on 01224 639539 to let us know if you’re coming along.

RELIEF PRINTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Come along to try out the oldest form of printmaking. No experience necessary.

Saturday 7 + Sunday 8 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

ETCHING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Learn the techniques and processes involved in the traditional art of etching. No experience necessary.

Saturday 21 + Sunday 22 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

GET ANIMATED AT PEACOCK

Ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit move? Well book onto our animation workshops to find out.

Throughout April, July, August & October | 10 – 4pm | age 10 + | £35

Call 01224 639539 for more information and to book a place on any of our courses.

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