Events at the National Library of Scotland – October to December, 2010
Unless otherwise stated, all events take place at the National Library of Scotland, GeorgeIVBridge, Edinburgh and are free of charge, although advance booking is necessary.
Book online at www.nls.uk/events/booking or call 0131 623 3918.
A Night in the Gutter
Talk
Thursday, 7 October 2010, 8.00pm
Come and join us as NLS takes a second trip down into the Gutter. Acclaimed author Louise Welsh will introduce an all female line up of new, diverse and, on occasion, controversial literary talent. Music will be provided by DJ Miaoux Miaoux, the bar will be open, and this will be a literary night not to miss.
The Scottish Reformation
Panel discussion
Thursday, 21 October 2010, 6.00pm
2010 marks the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation, an event that not only transformed Scotland’s diplomatic and religious allegiances when Catholic France being rejected in favour of Protestant England, but also reshaped the country’s social and cultural landscape for centuries to come. Professor Roger Mason leads a panel of experts in discussing the Reformation’s profound impact on Scotland’s subsequent history.
Scots Beneath the Banyan Tree: Stories from Bengal
Performance and talk
Saturday, 23 October, 2.30pm
This is a rare opportunity to experience West Bengali scroll painter, Gurupada, performing the life story of Alexander Duff, the Scottish Missionary and educational reformer. This event coincides with the launch of a new book, Scots beneath the Banyan Tree, which features traditional scroll paintings by Gurupada exploring the lives of eight Scots who played a significant role in the history of Bengal.
This event is hosted in association with the Scottish Storytelling Centre
Edinburgh Bibliographical Society Annual John Murray Archive Lecture
Performance and talk
Tuesday, 26 October 2010, 6.00pm
This is the sixth annual John Murray Archive Lecture. It will be delivered by Eric Anderson who, amongst many other accomplishments and honours, is the editor of Sir Walter Scott’s journal. His talk will focus on Scott’s home, Abbotsford. Situated on the banks of the Tweed, Abbotsford is one of the premier examples of the Scottish baronial style. The house was Scott’s own creation and is still home to his intact original collections of books and other artefacts.
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Muriel Spark Society Annual Lecture by Martin Stannard: Meeting Muriel Spark
Talk
Friday, 5 November, 6.00pm
In 1992, a postcard changed Martin Stannard’s life. He had just published his second volume of Evelyn Waugh and the postcard was from Muriel Spark, inviting him to become Spark’s official biographer. Professor Stannard describes what happened next on his visit to her Tuscan home that September.
The event will be followed by a book signing of ‘Muriel Spark: The Biography’ by Marton Stannard. Books will be on sale from the NLS shop.
A Swing through Time: sources for golf history
Talk
Thursday, 11 November, 6.00pm
The origins of golf are a matter of mystery and controversy. Only by piecing together evidence from documents and texts is it possible to gain an insight into the early days of the game. Scotland dominated golf until about 1900, giving the game its distinctive rules, language and courses. In this talk, Olive Geddes, NLS curator explores the written sources for the history of golf in Scotland.
National Library of Scotland at Lennoxlove Book Festival
Talk
19 -21 November, 2010
The first Lennoxlove Book Festival was a resounding success and the NLS is delighted to be involved in the second Festival. The National Library of Scotland Book Festival in 2009 saw Simon King, Rory Bremner, Alexander McCall Smith, Kate Adie, and Michael Morpugo all talk within the stunning surrounds of Lennoxlove House, Haddington.
Full details and attendees will be announced in advance of the event. For more information please visit: www.lennoxlovebookfestival.com
Scott-land: The Man who invented a Nation
Talk
Wednesday, 24 November, 6.00pm
Walter Scott - his name and image are everywhere from monuments to bank notes. Stuart Kelly’s book is not a conventional biography nor is it a critical study. Through examining Scott’s legacy and character Stuart displays his thoughts on writing, reviewing, being Scottish and being human.
Booking fee £4 (includes refreshments), book online or call 0131 623 3918
This event will be followed by a book signing and books will be for sale from the NLS shop.
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The future of Libraries
Panel Discussion
2 December, 6.00pm
Twenty-first century libraries: what physical designs should they have and what role? With immediately accessible information on-line, do libraries remain important? The orthodoxies, role and value of libraries and indeed the place of paper in an increasingly digital age will be discussed by experts Martyn Wade FRSA (National Librarian), Chris Banks FRSA (University Librarian , University of Aberdeen) and Karen Cunningham (Head of Libraries, Glasgow City Council).
NLS Film Club
Film screening
7 December, 6.00pm
St Kilda – Britain’s Loneliest Isle, capturing a voyage to St Kilda from Glasgow with scenes of island life between 1923 and 1928, will be screened to celebrate it’s inclusion in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Originally a silent film, this will be shown with a special musical soundtrack composed by David Allison. In addition, a more recent film from 1967, St Kilda – The Lonely Islands will be screened.
Booking Fee £5 (including refreshments) available online or by calling 0131 623 3918.
Callum MacDonald Poetry Pamphlet Fair
15 December, 6.00pm
Independent Scottish poetry publishing is going from strength to strength and this festive fair is always a popular event. Come along for a glass of wine, meet the publishers, hear the poems and buy the pamphlets.
This is a Callum Macdonald Memorial Award event, supported by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust.
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