Theme: Culture and Identity
Join us for a series of events that explore the nature of national identity and its role in state-formation, artistic censorship, xenophobia and cultural imperialism.
What's on
The US and the Rest of Us
A review of America’s influence in the world since 1945. Did the US change from a saviour to an imperial bully, then dwindle into a mere entertainer, an exporter of kitsch? And are we all Americans now?
The Map of Russia, 15th–19th Centuries
The lecture will follow the geographical evolution of the Russian state between the 16th and the 19th centuries, taking in the 14th and the 15th centuries as crucial for the formation of the geographical nucleus of Russia.
Agincourt 1415: Truth and myth
Professor Anne Curry, the world’s leading expert on the battle of Agincourt, reveals the fruits of her researches into the most famous English victory of the middle ages, which celebrates its 600th anniversary this year on 25 October.
Scepticism and Tolerance in pre-modern Islam
There is a long tradition of both skepticism and tolerance in pre-modern societies of the Islamic world, present in their classical literatures – worth exploring in times of extremes.
The Mysteries of Identical Twinning and how they can help in Education
Identical twins share all of their genes and are usually brought up in the same home and attend the same schools. In spite of their shared biology and experience they are often strikingly different from each other in their abilities, behaviour and choices. Kathryn Asbury will share stories from the 16-year-old twins who took part in her latest study and will draw implications from this research for schools and teachers.
The Yellow Peril: The rise of Chinaphobia
Christopher Frayling will uncover the origins of popular prejudices about China through films, plays, pantomimes, music-hall, popular fiction, and especially the characters of Dr Fu Manchu who first appeared in 1912.
Sisters: A preview
A chance to see Emmy award-winning producer, Andrew Smith’s, beautiful film Sisters.
