Exhibitions
JK Rowling's Tales of
Beedle the Bard
Until Sunday 4 January
Don't miss this unique
opportunity to see one of only seven beautifully illustrated and ornately bound
manuscripts in existence of The Tales of
Beedle the Bard, on display for a few weeks more at NLS.
In the words of the author, ‘The new edition will include the Tales
themselves, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, and with
illustrations by me, but also notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear
by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive.'
Zig-Zag: The Paths of Robert
Burns
Until Sunday 1 February
A unique preview for National Library of Scotland
visitors of the forthcoming National Burns Collection touring exhibition, due to visit Aberdeen, Dumfries and
Glasgow in 2009. Bringing together some of the 36,000 objects forming Scotland's
national collection about Robert Burns, this major 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. (From February 14, the
exhibition moves on to Aberdeen Museum & Art Gallery until April)
Scots Music Abroad
6 March - 23 May
Take a musical journey around the globe to discover
the story behind Scots music and its legacy - and why Scottish music from
overseas is now returning 'home' and influencing contemporary music
in Scotland. In the ‘New World'
countries of the Commonwealth, the arrival of Scots and their music had a
lasting influence on the culture of the new country. In Europe, it was
the inspiration of Scotland
itself, and the fame of Scottish writers such as Burns and Scott, which led to
elements of Scottish music being adopted by composers such as Haydn and
Mendelssohn. For hundreds of years Scots have left their homeland and moved to
new countries, taking their music with them. This musical journey explores the
worldwide legacy of Scots music, from Haydn's arrangements of Scottish
tunes to the hugely successful ‘homecoming' of fiddle music from Cape Breton, Canada
to its roots in Scotland.
The John
Murray Archive - On permanently
Lord Byron, Jane Austen and David Livingstone were
just a few of the figures found in this remarkable publisher's archive
that shaped the world as we know it. State-of-the-art technology brings their
work, personalities and ideas to life. Learn how these people contributed to
one of the greatest periods of human progress and creativity and see if you
could publish your own international bestseller. On Valentine's
Day, Byron is reunited with his
infamous lover, Lady Caroline Lamb, as a display of items and letters about her
is added to the John Murray Archive exhibition.
Exhibition
opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to
8pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Admission free.
Events
Note to Editors: booking
recommended for all events, by telephone on 0131 623 4675 or by email to [email protected]. Admission to all events is free
January
Tuesday 13
January 8pm
Book launch
The Bard: a
New Biography of Robert Burns
Renowned writer Robert
Crawford, Professor of Modern Scottish Literature at the University of St Andrews,
introduces ‘The Bard'. ‘This incisive biography startlingly
demonstrates why the life and work of Scotland's greatest poet
still compel the attention of the world a quarter of a millennium after his
birth.'
Getting Started at NLS
Wednesday 14 January 11am
Monday 9 February
2pm
Tuesday 10 March 6pm
Learn how to register as a reader, find your way round
the Library, request materials and find out about other services. The
workshop includes a tour of the Reading Rooms.
Discovering family history at
NLS
Friday 16 January 11am
Thursday 12 February 6pm
Wednesday 11 March 2pm
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.
Thursday 15 January 7pm
Talk
Inspirations at NLS:
O'Hagan on Burns
Award-winning writer Andrew O'Hagan (Personality, Be Near Me, The Atlantic
Ocean, A Night out with Robert Burns) discusses ways in
which Burns' work has inspired him. Chaired by Rosemary Goring.
Wednesday 21 January
World Burns Night: Love and Liberty
Venue: Tollcross Community
Centre, Tollcross Primary School, 117 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
Join us for the
return of our legendary night of multicultural entertainment, in celebration of
Scotland's
Bard. Compered by Stan Reeves of the Robert Fish Ceilidh Band. Full line-up of
performers to be announced. Light refreshments, dress informal.
24 January
12pm - 3pm
Family Event
Burns
Midwinter Magic
Experience magical encounters
with characters from Robert Burns' famous poem Tam O'Shanter,
brought to life by performance group te POOka.
Drop in
event for families, no booking required.
Tuesday 27 January 7pm
Illustrated talk
Drawing Burns' Bawdy
Poems
How do you illustrate Robert Burns' bawdiest
poems? Why were they ‘suppressed'? A new edition of the Merry
Muses of Caledonia (Luath Press) is
edited by Valentina Bold and features illustrations by Bob Dewar, who discusses
the challenges posed by this work. Be prepared for adult
content!
February
Writing Historical Fiction
Creative writing workshop for adults
Saturday 7 February 10am
- 12pm
Are you interested in writing historical fiction? Join
writer Margaret Elphinstone for a workshop exploring how to use source material
for inspiration and research. Margaret will talk about her research for The Sea Road, a novel based on the
Icelandic sagas, and there will be an opportunity to see the original
manuscript and notes which are now kept in the NLS collections.
Love Letters - An Anthology of
Passion
Tuesday 10 February 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Discover how old fashioned romance is far from dead.
NLS collections are full of love letters from the past, why not come along and
use them for inspiration for your own Valentines gifts? We'll explore
letter-writing techniques, ideas for packaging and delivering our own love
messages and how to create love letter books, in which letters, cards, prose,
small gifts and illustrations can be charmingly hidden. One of a
series of workshops for adults with Isabelle Ting and Rachel Hazell, inspired
by the work and life of Lady Caroline Lamb, letter writer, scrapbook keeper and
infamous lover of Lord Byron.
Create your own Traditional
Commonplace Book
Saturday 14 February 10am - 5pm
There is nothing like the smell, weight and feel of a
beautifully made book. Take this exciting opportunity to make your own
commonplace book to fill like Lady Caroline Lamb. Learn specialist techniques
such as how to fold and sew a basic book block and encase it in a
leather cover. You will also get an opportunity to play with gold and silver
finishing tools. One of a series of workshops for
adults with Isabelle Ting and Rachel Hazell, inspired by the work and life of
Lady Caroline Lamb, letter writer, scrapbook keeper and infamous lover of Lord
Byron.
Create your own Contemporary
Commonplace Book
Saturday 21 February 10am - 4pm
Create and fill a modern-day commonplace book with
your personal selection of notes, quotes and photographs. A simple
expandable concertina structure will include pockets and envelopes to contain
precious memories and hopes. This workshop aims to bind form and content into a
unique book. We'll give you some ideas in advance for things you might
like to bring. Start collecting your ephemera now! One of a
series of workshops for adults with Isabelle Ting and Rachel Hazell, inspired
by the work and life of Lady Caroline Lamb, letter writer, scrapbook keeper and
infamous lover of Lord Byron.
Wednesday 4 February 7pm
Book launch
Days Like This
Days Like This is a collection of true life stories,
written by ordinary people from all over Scotland and submitted to the
Scottish Book Trust and the BBC as part of a groundbreaking national
project. Likely to be one of this year's best reads.
Monday 9 February 7pm
StAnza 2009: Festival Preview at NLS
Join us for a preview of StAnza Scotland's International
Poetry Festival, featuring poet Kate Clanchy. StAnza takes place in St Andrews, 18 - 22 March 2009. Programme details are at www.stanzapoetry.org
Wednesday 11 February 6.30pm
Should Schools teach Creationism?
Panel debate
With Darwin Day approaching, join writers Christopher
Brookmyre and Julian Baggini as they debate whether creationism should be
taught alongside evolution in schools.
In association with the Institute of Ideas
and Humanism Scotland.
Thursday 12 February 7pm
Dramatised reading
The Context
of Origins: 1859
Celebrate Darwin's
200th Birthday with JMA Writer in Residence Peter Arnott, as he presents an
entertaining dramatised reading from Darwin
and his contemporaries, showing just what he was up against.
17 February 7pm
Dramatised talk
An Evening with Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle
Tonight, the writer and historian Owen Dudley Edwards
becomes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, sharing some readings and reflections on his
illustrious career.
March
Tuesday 3 March 7pm
Talk
‘Red
Nightingales': Spanish Civil War Commemorative Talk.
Daniel Gray, author of Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War (‘Important and powerful' - Tony Benn) gives a unique insight
into the relationship of Scottish women and the Spanish Civil War (1936-39).
Using archival material, Gray demonstrates the pivotal, all too often
overlooked, part that women played in the conflict, whether in domestic aid
movements or through travelling to the country to help in any way they could.
Thursday 12 March 7pm
NLS Film Club
Free
introductory evening
Join us for a foray into Scotland's
history on film, with the first of a regular series of film nights at NLS, from
the Scottish Screen Archive. Ruth Washbrook guides you through key events in Scotland's history during the first half
of the 20th century, plus early film of Laurel and Hardy, the last day of the Edinburgh trams and the
open air pool at Portobello.
Monday 16
March 7pm
Talk
Scottish Independence
Find out why Harry Reid and
Paul Scott believe that ‘the most important question facing Scotland
is its future constitutional status.' Join the editors of ‘The
Independence Book' as they set out the arguments in favour of independence.
Thursday 26 March 7pm
Talk
Mapping Mid-Nineteenth Century
Edinburgh
The Ordnance Survey six-inch Country Series mapping of
Edinburgh shows
the natural landscape and built environment with great accuracy and in
fascinating detail. Discover more with Graeme Cruickshank, local historian and
author of the notes to the recently reissued six-inch map.
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Visit the National Library of Scotland online at www.nls.uk
CELEBRATING 500 YEARS OF SCOTTISH PRINTING 1508-2008
http://www.500yearsofprinting.org
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