The York Festival of Ideas brings together a range of world-class speakers, exhibitions, performances and interactive experiences for people of all ages. Most events are free to attend. Please see individual events for ticket details.
York Design Awards: Winners presentation
Monday
26
June
2017
Join us as the winners are announced of the 11th annual York Design Awards. Entries to the awards are in categories covering residential, community and commercial schemes, large or small, and open spaces.
Children, Conflict and the Art(s) of Hope
Sunday
25
June
2017
Join us for an exhibition on the life of Anne Frank and a performance by Bootham School pupils. Developed with their tutor Simon Benson, the pupils’ performance is inspired by young people’s art in response to conflicts of the past and present, and the research of the University of York’s Lisa Peschel from the AHRC-funded project Performing the Jewish Archive.
Children, Conflict and the Art(s) of Hope
Saturday
24
June
2017
Join us for an exhibition on the life of Anne Frank and a performance by Bootham School pupils. Developed with their tutor Simon Benson, the pupils’ performance is inspired by young people’s art in response to conflicts of the past and present, and the research of the University of York’s Lisa Peschel from the AHRC-funded project Performing the Jewish Archive.
John Dryden: Amphitryon; Or, The Two Sosias
Sunday
18
June
2017
The Restoration playwright Dryden reinvents this oft-recounted classical myth with brilliant comic invention and a moving sense of human lives turned awry by forces they cannot resist.
Dad You Suck
Sunday
18
June
2017
Our Festival finale falls on Father’s Day, so what better way to celebrate than in the company of journalist Tim Dowling as he lays bare his experience of fatherhood. The author of 'Dad You Suck', he talks honestly and with his own brand of humour about the difficult task of being a dad.
Branding: In five and a half steps
Sunday
18
June
2017
Join Michael as he unveils hidden elements involved in creating a successful brand - from the strapline that gives the brand a narrative and a purpose to clever uses of typography that unite design and language.
Where the Wild Things Were: How Cheap Meat Drives Extinction
Sunday
18
June
2017
Today many animals face extinction and it’s not only climate change and habitat destruction which are to blame. Join author Philip Lymbery as he explains how the impact of consumer demand for cheap meat is equally devastating. He will explore why it is vital that we confront this problem if we are to stand a chance of reducing its effect on the world around us.
No Ideas But In Things: A writing workshop
Sunday
18
June
2017
‘No ideas but in things,’ declared the American poet William Carlos Williams. In this writing workshop, led by poet JT Welsch, you’ll experiment with ways of interpreting that famous mantra, exploring new ways of bringing objects into words. Just take along something to write with, a favourite object and an openness to new things.
Bring Back the King
Sunday
18
June
2017
If you could bring back one living being from the whole of the history of time, what would you choose? Comedian and former stem-cell biologist Helen Pilcher, author of Bring Back the King, has thought about this problem, a lot. Join Helen as she explains the cutting-edge science that makes the resurrection of extinct animals a very real possibility and explains how this can help us protect other endangered species from extinction. Hear her choices from eras gone by - from the King of the Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex, to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, Elvis Presley.
Operation Codebreaker
Sunday
18
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
Empire of Things: Why do we have so much stuff?
Sunday
18
June
2017
Acclaimed historian Frank Trentmann unfolds the extraordinary history that has shaped our material world from late Ming China, Renaissance Italy and the British Empire to the present. He explains how we have come to live with so much more, how this changed the course of history and the global challenges we face as a result.
The Lost Windmills of York
Sunday
18
June
2017
Do you live on a ‘Mill Lane’ or near a ‘Millfield’? If you do then it is very likely that at some time in history there was a windmill or a watermill nearby. In the past dozens of windmills could be seen across the skyline of York. Now they have all gone except for Holgate Windmill, which has been fully restored to working order producing flour for sale.
Operation Codebreaker
Sunday
18
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
LUMA Film Festival
Sunday
18
June
2017
Come along to the LUMA Film Festival for a glimpse of the future of filmmaking. As well as gala screenings of the work of budding filmmakers at the University of York, leading talent from across the UK film and television industry will give talks and run inspirational workshops.
John Dryden: Amphitryon; Or, The Two Sosias
Saturday
17
June
2017
The Restoration playwright Dryden reinvents this oft-recounted classical myth with brilliant comic invention and a moving sense of human lives turned awry by forces they cannot resist.
The Story of a Book
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join us for an evening with a master storyteller telling tales of humanism and hope in the violence of the Viking age; taking us into the mind of a king in dark times, and conveying the magic of medieval manuscripts in whose pages, ‘the gap of time seems to fall away…’
Zeppelins Over York: One woman's Great War diary
Saturday
17
June
2017
From her home in St Leonard's Place, York, Mabel Goode recorded what she knew would be the biggest event of her lifetime. Her diary reveals how life on the home front was transformed by a conflict without precedent. Join Mabel's great-great-nephew, Michael, as he sheds light on her recently discovered Great War diary, which was found at the bottom of a dusty trunk in 2011.
The Archaeology of Eoforwic
Saturday
17
June
2017
Eoforwic was the name for York during the four and a half centuries between Roman York and the Viking city. Join Ian Milsted of the York Archaeological Trust for an introduction to the archaeological evidence for Eoforwic. Using key sites and discoveries, Ian examines what we know, how much there is still to learn and where the crucial evidence may be.
Books as Instruments of Change
Saturday
17
June
2017
Our panel explores the role of the books throughout history and today. Find out why the story of the book is as intriguing as the many of the stories that books tell.
Make Your Own Book Workshop
Saturday
17
June
2017
It’s time to get creative! Find out about early printing and handwritten books, play games, then have a go at making a book of your own. Suitable for children aged 7+ accompanied by an adult.
Anglo-Saxon Bread: Making and meaning
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join Debby of the University of Cambridge and Martha of the University of Oregon, USA as they show how to make the surprisingly simple and tasty earliest kinds of English bread, as well as the bread of the saints and the bread of kings. They’ll explain how to tell the breads apart, what they meant, and how bread shaped the course of England.
Terra Two: Writing for off-world survival
Saturday
17
June
2017
You are leaving Earth to set up the first off-world colony. What things would you take with you? This creative writing workshop asks you to debate this question by looking at stories by some of the great science fiction writers.
Beginnings of Life: Campus wildlife tour
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join us for a guided tour of the University of York’s Campus East and hear the story of its development for wildlife since its beginnings in 2008. Learn about – and hopefully see - the many plants and animals that now call this their home. The walk is led by Gordon Eastham, the University’s Grounds Maintenance Manager, and Rachel Pateman, a researcher in biodiversity.
Operation Codebreaker
Saturday
17
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
The Story of Things: Lego building
Saturday
17
June
2017
Calling all budding builders! Drop in and use our Lego to make your own ‘thing’. Take inspiration from historic treasures from the archives, including maps and images of York. What will you create? Suitable for children aged 2+.
Decoding the Dark Ages
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join author and broadcaster Janina Ramirez as she sheds light on the Dark Ages though art, literature and archaeology
The Myths and Science of Sleep
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join sleep scientist Graham Law as he explores the myths that surround sleep: some myths that are informative and helpful, others that are incorrect, and some that are positively damaging and counterproductive.
Anglo-Saxon Crafts
Saturday
17
June
2017
Step back in time and find out about Anglo-Saxon life through its crafts. Watch a demonstration of tablet weaving using naturally dyed yarns, learn about hand-building pottery techniques and handle replica pottery. Find out about the work of the goldsmith through the tools, techniques and materials of the early Medieval period, and discover how Anglo-Saxon beads were made and their significance.
Exploring the Dark Self
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join us for an immersive audiovisual installation and discussion exploring the challenges of visualising deep sleep. The installation by artist Susan Aldworth - which can be viewed before or after the discussion - explores the different aspects of sleep that occur every night. Each of these is critically important in keeping us healthy and happy in our working lives.
Wastebusters’ Fest
Saturday
17
June
2017
Ever wondered what happens to your rubbish and whether it’s worth your effort to recycle? Come along to a day of fun, family-friendly activities redefining what waste is and what to do with it.
The Origins of Art
Saturday
17
June
2017
Thirty thousand years ago our ancestors produced the magnificently decorated cave at Chauvet. A million years ago they fashioned elaborate stone tools of remarkable symmetry. Does it make sense to see these activities as part of a single story taking in Egyptian art and the Renaissance? Or is ‘art’ a category of recent invention that distorts our understanding of the distant past? Join University of York researchers to learn more.
Refugees Welcome
Saturday
17
June
2017
Meet artist and activist Alketa Xhafa Mripa as she parks up her van in York and offers tea under the slogan ‘Fancy a tea with a refugee!’ The tail lift van contains a purpose-built domestic scene sitting room interior in which Alketa begins conversations with visitors. Join her at the installation to discuss hospitality for those seeking refuge and to hear about her positive experience of being welcomed to the UK as a refugee.
The Lost Windmills of York
Saturday
17
June
2017
Do you live on a ‘Mill Lane’ or near a ‘Millfield’? If you do then it is very likely that at some time in history there was a windmill or a watermill nearby. In the past dozens of windmills could be seen across the skyline of York. Now they have all gone except for Holgate Windmill, which has been fully restored to working order producing flour for sale.
Unlocking Robert Harris’ Novel, Conclave Part Two
Saturday
17
June
2017
The international best-selling author, Robert Harris, is well-known for tackling big subjects in an imaginative, compelling and gripping way. Beginning with his first novel, Fatherland, which imagines a world in which Germany won World War II, Harris has written variously about ancient Rome (Pompeii, Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator), Russia (Archangel), France (An Officer and a Spy), as well as a novel loosely based on Tony Blair (The Ghost).
Operation Codebreaker
Saturday
17
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
York Design Awards Walking Trail
Saturday
17
June
2017
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit York Design Award-winning buildings from the first ten years of the scheme. The Walking Trail of Award Winners and other standout schemes will take place in and around the City centre, led by Peter Brown former Director of the York Civic Trust, with architects from the York Architectural Association. Together they will highlight the features of each scheme which led to an Award being presented. The Trail will visit some schemes which are publicly accessible, and will also provide a unique opportunity to see hidden gems.
LUMA Film Festival
Saturday
17
June
2017
Come along to the LUMA Film Festival for a glimpse of the future of filmmaking. As well as gala screenings of the work of budding filmmakers at the University of York, leading talent from across the UK film and television industry will give talks and run inspirational workshops.
The Hero’s Journey: From swords to spaceships
Saturday
17
June
2017
Why do we all love a good story? Are the best stories universal and timeless? Do they have common elements? York Novelists want to take you on ‘The Hero’s Journey’ to discover what lies behind many of the tales we grew up with and which we’ve been telling each other for thousands of years.
Border: A journey to the edge of Europe
Friday
16
June
2017
Meet Kapka Kassabova, author of Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe, as she discusses the extraordinary people and hidden histories of Europe’s last border. Kapka travelled back to the forested, once forbidden border zone of Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece 25 years after the end of the Cold War. From the ancient Thracians and the Ottoman Empire to Cold War secrets and today’s refugees, hear the stories she gathered.
The Ascent of Gravity
Friday
16
June
2017
On 14 September 2015, gravitational waves were first detected on Earth. The source – two merging black holes – briefly pumped out 50 times more power than all the stars in the Universe together. Gravitational waves are the ‘voice of space’. Join science writer and broadcaster Marcus Chown to discover how, after centuries of ‘seeing’ the Universe, we are now ‘hearing’ it.
The Story of Human Speech and Hearing
Friday
16
June
2017
Sound forms a basic part of our lives; in terms of hearing it, we have no 'ear lids' so cannot turn it off. David Howard of Royal Holloway, University of London discusses the nature of sound. How is it used for communication? How is it used for music? How do we make sense of the sounds around us? Join David as he explores the basis of human hearing and how we understand speech.
Conflict, Peace and Security in Africa
Friday
16
June
2017
Stories of wars and conflict in Africa resonate repeatedly in the news. But do these narratives reflect the realities of lived experiences on the ground? What unintended benefits come out of conflict and war situations, and for whom? Is there ever a good side to the story, and what do we know about these different perspectives?
John Dryden: Amphitryon; Or, The Two Sosias
Friday
16
June
2017
The Restoration playwright Dryden reinvents this oft-recounted classical myth with brilliant comic invention and a moving sense of human lives turned awry by forces they cannot resist.
Cycling: Engineering an Olympic sport
Friday
16
June
2017
Team GB won 12 cycling medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, utterly dominating the velodrome. Join Tony Purnell, Head of Technical Development for British Cycling, as he explains how improved technology and an engineering approach have helped to improve speed and lower records. Learn how Tony’s background in Formula One has helped with his approach to Olympic cycling events.
Music Beyond Borders
Friday
16
June
2017
Join Amrit Kaur Lohia, a sarangi player and vocalist in the genres of Punjabi folk, jazz and soul, as she explores ‘music beyond borders’. Through music written for women by women, and beginning with pre-partition Punjab, she tells stories of partition and the violence women experienced in 1947. The set features a sarangi instrumental, Punjabi folk songs and the poetry of acclaimed Punjabi writer, Amrita Pritam. Amrit will be accompanied by her brother Pratab Singh on tabla.
The Hunt for Life in the Universe
Friday
16
June
2017
Today we know of only a single planet that hosts life: the Earth. But across a Universe of at least 100 billion possibly habitable worlds, surely our planet isn’t the only one that is just right for life? As Goldilocks was searching for the most comfortable chair or the perfect bowl of porridge, astrobiologists are searching for conditions throughout the Universe that are just right for life as we currently know it to exist.
East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
Friday
16
June
2017
Join barrister Philippe Sands for a moving personal detective story as he explores the creation and development of the world-changing legal concepts of ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity’. Philippe, author of 'East West Street', looks at the private and intellectual evolution of the two men who simultaneously originated the ideas following the unprecedented atrocities of Hitler's Third Reich.
A History of Pictures: From the cave to the computer screen
Friday
16
June
2017
Join art critic Martin Gayford to discuss how and why pictures have been made. What makes marks on a flat surface interesting? How do you show movement in a still picture, and how do films and television connect with old masters? What do pictures show – truth or lies? Do photographs present the world as we experience it?
York Design Awards Walking Trail
Friday
16
June
2017
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit York Design Award-winning buildings from the first ten years of the scheme. The Walking Trail of Award Winners and other standout schemes will take place in and around the City centre, led by Peter Brown former Director of the York Civic Trust, with architects from the York Architectural Association. Together they will highlight the features of each scheme which led to an Award being presented. The Trail will visit some schemes which are publicly accessible, and will also provide a unique opportunity to see hidden gems.
Music Beyond Borders
Friday
16
June
2017
Join Amrit Kaur Lohia, a sarangi player and vocalist in the genres of Punjabi folk, jazz and soul, as she explores ‘music beyond borders’. Through music written for women by women, and beginning with pre-partition Punjab, she tells stories of partition and the violence women experienced in 1947. The set features a sarangi instrumental, Punjabi folk songs and the poetry of acclaimed Punjabi writer, Amrita Pritam. Amrit will be accompanied by her brother Pratab Singh on tabla.
Re:cyclists: 200 years of cycling history
Friday
16
June
2017
Former professional cyclist Michael Hutchinson picks his way through 200 years of cycling history, looking at how cycling became the sport, the pastime and the social life of millions of ordinary people. Join Michael as he explains how it grew and how it suffered through the 1960s and ’70s, and how at the dawn of the 21st century it rose again to find a unique home in the British Isles - much changed but still ultimately just someone careering along on two wheels.
Re-imagining Work: Mapping the future
Friday
16
June
2017
A recent report by Reform suggested that 90 per cent of all civil service jobs could be replaced by artificial intelligence in the future. So what kind of work will we be doing in the future and what does that mean in terms of the kinds of skills and education we need to meet those challenges? Should we be scared or optimistic about the impact of robotics and artificial intelligence on labour markets? What does this mean for different parts of the labour market and should government and the economy respond?
Jobs, Technology and Skills
Friday
16
June
2017
How will robotics and artificial intelligence shape our jobs in the future? Join Xavier Mesnard, Partner with A.T. Kearney France, and Louisa Michelson, Counsel, Labour and Employment Law, IBM, to hear their analysis of how robotics and artificial intelligence will shape our future jobs.
Junior Musicians: A Story to Tell
Friday
16
June
2017
Come along and listen to talented young musicians from Scotland’s specialist music school as they make their debut appearance at the Festival. The varied recital by junior instrumentalists from St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh features strings, woodwind, piano and saxophone - all with a story to tell.
Extracting Meaning and Value from Work
Friday
16
June
2017
Guy Standing's 'The Precariat' has achieved cult status as the first account of this emerging class of people, who face lives of insecurity, moving in and out of jobs that give little meaning to their lives. Our panel will discuss the implications of this emerging class of people. What meaning should we be able to derive from our work and what changes are necessary to obtain real value from our work?
The World of Work Today
Friday
16
June
2017
Following a keynote speech from Harriet Harman MP, members of our expert panel, including Jonathan Bradshaw of the University of York, discuss the changing world of work from job insecurity to zero hours contracts and under-employment. How safe do we feel in our work? How has immigration actually affected the UK labour market?
Archives Blitz-It: The city in print
Friday
16
June
2017
Explore York Archives is offering a chance to get hands-on with some of York’s amazing local history collections, including historical material printed in York itself. The Archives holds around 60,000 local history items, including pamphlets, photographs, newspapers and maps.
The Brain in Performance
Thursday
15
June
2017
Come along and explore our connections with nature, outer space and the brain through an immersive audio-visual experience. The collaborative project, presented by Beau Stocker, Ben Eyes and Mohammed Mohanna, all postgraduate students at the University of York, will include live experimental electronic/acoustic music and immersive full-wall video projections in the 3Sixty room.
Sergeant Pepper: Playing with words
Thursday
15
June
2017
Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is arguably the most important and influential rock album of all time. Marking the 50th anniversary of its first release on 1 June 1967, Colin Campbell of the University of York will assess its literary merits and examine the lyric-writing skills of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
The Husband Hunters: Social climbing in London and New York
Thursday
15
June
2017
Join Anne de Courcy, author of 'The Husband Hunters', as she sets the stories of these young women and their families in the context of their times. Based on extensive first-hand research, drawing on diaries, memoirs and letters, she reveals what they thought of their new lives in England - and what England thought of them.
John Dryden: Amphitryon; Or, The Two Sosias
Thursday
15
June
2017
The Restoration playwright Dryden reinvents this oft-recounted classical myth with brilliant comic invention and a moving sense of human lives turned awry by forces they cannot resist.
Reconciliation and Rotherham: A Cross of Nails?
Thursday
15
June
2017
Finding a cross in a church is not unusual but the Cross of Nails has a story to tell - of a worldwide community working for reconciliation. The community was formed following the bombing of Coventry Cathedral in World War II. St Martin, Coney Street has strong links with Marienkirche in Lubeck as partners in the community. York plays its part.
The Brain in Performance
Thursday
15
June
2017
Come along and explore our connections with nature, outer space and the brain through an immersive audio-visual experience. The collaborative project, presented by Beau Stocker, Ben Eyes and Mohammed Mohanna, all postgraduate students at the University of York, will include live experimental electronic/acoustic music and immersive full-wall video projections in the 3Sixty room.
Real and Unreal: Recreating a lost past
Thursday
15
June
2017
Learn about the University of York’s cutting-edge work with cathedrals and other clients to recreate the lost past by digital modelling and augmented reality.
The Story of the Ardabil Carpet
Thursday
15
June
2017
Much scholarship has addressed the V&A 'Ardabil Carpet's' status as a designed object, studied and admired in isolation and widely imitated by modern weavers. Join V&A curator Moya Carey as she looks at that isolating tendency, but also at the Ardabil Carpet in its original cultural context. How did the carpet's design respond to the sacred interior space at Ardabil, and to Safavid visual culture? Can the Shi`a context explain the unusual addition of two hanging lamps woven into the pattern?
The Disappearance of Émile Zola
Thursday
15
June
2017
It is the evening of 18 July 1898 and the world-renowned novelist Émile Zola is on the run. His crime? Taking on the highest powers in the land with his open letter 'J'accuse' and losing. Forced to leave Paris, with nothing but the clothes he is standing in and a nightshirt wrapped in newspaper, Zola flees to England with no idea when he will return. Join author Michael Rosen to learn more.
The Story of Science
Thursday
15
June
2017
Discover the story of science through the lens of microscopes and telescopes with University of York scientists. First, take a look at the historic Vickers Collection of precision scientific instruments manufactured in York over the past 200 years. Next learn how cutting-edge microscopes allow us to see a single, moving atom. Finally, gaze into the night skies and wonder at the images we can now capture from space.
Make Mine a Beer: Celebrate national beer day
Thursday
15
June
2017
With the upsurge of small craft breweries opening in and around York, there are plenty of new and exciting local beers on offer. Join Half Moon Brewery for an inspiring evening of beer and food matching, led by sensory consultant Jo Menneer and brewery owner Jackie Rogers.
Uplandish: Stories of the English uplands
Thursday
15
June
2017
Explore Northern England’s wild places with no need for waterproofs. Join us for a World Café event and discuss literary objects from moors, uplands and other wild English landscapes. Are ‘Uplandish’ folk rude and uncivilised? Why are Yorkshire moors important to literary history? And how wild are the uplands?
The Things Left Behind
Thursday
15
June
2017
Join York Archaeological Trust curators for a guided tour behind the scenes at the YAT store to hear the story of the things ‘left behind’. What happens to the artefacts that don't make the cut for public display? Hear how they continue to be put to work to enhance our understanding of the past.
The Brain in Performance: Workshop
Thursday
15
June
2017
Take part in a live music looping workshop and learn about the connection of experimental music performance and basic computer programming using biosensors and multimedia technology.
Help Tackle Dementia: Knit and natter
Thursday
15
June
2017
Bring your knitting needles, wool and decorations, and relax and listen to music as you make a dementia Twiddlemuff - a knitted hand muff with bits and bobs attached, such as ribbons and large buttons. Twiddlemuffs provide an excellent stimulation activity for restless hands for patients with dementia during their stay in hospital.
Viking: Rediscover the legend…The Vikings are coming!
Thursday
15
June
2017
Take a journey through the early years of the Viking invasions with York Museums Trust Curator of Archaeology Natalie Buy. Enjoy the opportunity to handle artefacts as you learn what drove the Vikings to invade Anglo-Saxon Eoforwic and ultimately, how this led to the formation of Britain.
The Things Left Behind
Thursday
15
June
2017
Join York Archaeological Trust curators for a guided tour behind the scenes at the YAT store to hear the story of the things ‘left behind’. What happens to the artefacts that don't make the cut for public display? Hear how they continue to be put to work to enhance our understanding of the past.
Archives Blitz-It: The city in print
Thursday
15
June
2017
Explore York Archives is offering a chance to get hands-on with some of York’s amazing local history collections, including historical material printed in York itself. The Archives holds around 60,000 local history items, including pamphlets, photographs, newspapers and maps.
Beer and Beowulf: The poetry of things
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Beer and poetry often went together in Anglo-Saxon England, and the hall was celebrated as the place of community and creativity. Come and join us in the beorsele or beer-hall of the Duke of York pub, for our annual evening of Anglo-Saxon beer and poetry.
Nothingness, Emptiness and Absences
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Join philosopher Tom Stoneham and art historian Michael White of the University of York as they introduce you to the strange world or nothingness. Tom’s research includes investigations of the possibility that there is nothing rather than something and the tangibility of shadows. Michael’s research focuses on abstract art and avant-garde practice in which voids, emptiness and absence feature strongly.
Peter York’s Storage Unit
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Author and broadcaster Peter York examines a growing social trend in terms of his own experience; having half his life stored in room-sized wooden crates in a West London depository. Should we celebrate the Joy of Things, like Victorians at the Great Exhibition of 1851, or should we feel the burden of ‘Stuffocation’ (the title of just one of a new genre of self-help books)?
University Choir and Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Walton’s dramatic work for choir and large orchestra 'Belshazzar’s Feast' tells the colourful story of the Babylonian king who, famously, saw the writing on the wall. Baritone Benedict Nelson joins the University Choir for this choral masterpiece. The University of York Symphony Orchestra also performs Berlioz’s 'Grande symphonie funèbre et triomphale' and Walton’s march, 'Crown Imperial'.
Remembering Ourselves in Our Struggle
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Join filmmakers as they explore the reflections and emotions of human rights defenders at risk in Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, Kenya and Indonesia through three short films and a discussion.
Art Detective: The ‘art’ of sleuthing
Wednesday
14
June
2017
The nation loves a great detective story. Throw in the UK’s public art collection, some fiendishly difficult mysteries and the public’s expert knowledge and you have an invaluable resource supporting collections nationwide.
Martin Luther: Catholic dissident
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Peter Stanford presents a new appraisal of theological firebrand Martin Luther on the 500th anniversary of the religious revolution he triggered - the Protestant Reformation.
Why the English Sailed to the New World
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Today migration still shapes us. But now most who arrive in England or in America are viewed as ‘immigrants’. Migration is ever-newsworthy: painful for those who move, and for many who don’t. We should remember now a time when many more were leaving England than arriving: when they were ‘emigrants’. Join James Evans to find out more.
Mythomania: Tales of our times
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Despite our culture’s proclaimed respect for scientific reason, we are no less bedazzled and bedevilled by myth than our remote ancestors. Join author Peter Conrad for an in conversation event as he examines the enduring place of myth in contemporary culture and society.
The Stories Behind Our Favourite Things
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Our speakers explore the story of things from three different but complimentary perspectives: philosophy, archaeology and poetry. Come along and hear the results of a public survey looking at the significance of precious objects in our lives. Learn about the role objects play in our quest for understanding and meaning, and why some things might have a soul.
Zombies in York
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Zombies have taken over York and brought the city to a standstill! But we were quick enough to catch one…
Come along and get involved as University of York scientists dissect the captured zombie in front of a live audience. This gruesome interactive event has hands-on opportunities to study the infectious agent causing the outbreak, examine the zombie blood, play with their brains and more. Will you be able to save York by working out how the disease started and how we can stop the onward march of the Zombies?!
Healthcare Innovations
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Join Andreas Haimböck-Tichy, Director of Healthcare and Life Sciences at IBM UK, and our expert panel to find out how technological innovations such as IBM Watson Health are improving patient care, patient experience and patient outcomes.
The Story of Stories
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Stories – or, more accurately, narratives – are everywhere in the 21st century. The digital revolution has made it easier to write, disseminate and read stories, while narrative informs every aspect of our existence, from the entertainment industry to social institutions such as law and medicine to our public and private identities.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Many people fear that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may replace work, making the human race redundant. This fear has been fed by sources ranging from social media through to stories in Hollywood films of ‘things’ terminating mankind. But what is the truth?
Young Minds: Mental health challenges
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Join us as we explore the mental health challenges facing young people today and discuss how to create supportive environments for students.
Archives Blitz-It: The city in print
Wednesday
14
June
2017
Explore York Archives is offering a chance to get hands-on with some of York’s amazing local history collections, including historical material printed in York itself. The Archives holds around 60,000 local history items, including pamphlets, photographs, newspapers and maps.
A Comedy of Us Jews
Tuesday
13
June
2017
In 1940, Jac Weinstein, a member of the Helsinki Jewish Community, wrote a light-hearted musical cabaret sketch about a Jewish clothing merchant who falls in love with a mannequin he has ordered from Paris. The only reference to the war then raging in Europe – a war Finland would join just half a year later – is a brief mention of the bombing of Paris.
Discovered through the research of Simo Muir of the University of Leeds, the script has not been staged since its original production in 1940. This new translation and adaptation by Simo Muir and Lisa Peschel of the University of York, is performed by students from the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television.
Peter York on Trumpery
Tuesday
13
June
2017
President Donald J. Trump is a style icon and an international brand. He means different things to different people but he is meaningful to everyone. Join author and broadcaster Peter York as he explores the brand of Donald Trump and Trumpery and the messages they’re sending to the world.
Learning Latin the Ancient Way
Tuesday
13
June
2017
What was it like to learn a foreign language 2,000 years ago? What did the Romans teach learners about life and manners in Rome? Did they learn grammar? Why did they give beginners bilingual texts?
Volcanoes and their Health Hazards
Tuesday
13
June
2017
The effects of volcanic eruptions such as Vesuvius in AD79, which destroyed Pompeii and, more recently, Eyjafjallajökull’s disruption of global air travel are well established – but how much do we know about the healthcare risks and hazards for the people who live in the shadow of volcanoes?
A Comedy of Us Jews
Tuesday
13
June
2017
In 1940, Jac Weinstein, a member of the Helsinki Jewish Community, wrote a light-hearted musical cabaret sketch about a Jewish clothing merchant who falls in love with a mannequin he has ordered from Paris. The only reference to the war then raging in Europe – a war Finland would join just half a year later – is a brief mention of the bombing of Paris.
Discovered through the research of Simo Muir of the University of Leeds, the script has not been staged since its original production in 1940. This new translation and adaptation by Simo Muir and Lisa Peschel of the University of York, is performed by students from the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television.
Women Classical Scholars in and Since the Renaissance
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Learn about the pioneering women born between the Renaissance and 1913 who played significant roles in the history of classical scholarship. Edith Hall, editor of Women Classical Scholars, explains how these women faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles from patriarchal social systems and educational institutions. Nevertheless they continued to teach, edit, translate and analyse the texts left to us by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Reverend Richard Coles: The story of my life
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Meet the Reverend Richard Coles, the UK’s only vicar to have had a number one single in the pop charts. As well as the Vicar of Finedon, Northamptonshire, the former member of The Communards is a much-loved broadcaster presenting Saturday Live on Radio 4 and giving us a regular reason to Pause for Thought on Radio 2.
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran: A masterclass
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran form the most successful television comedy scriptwriting partnership active today. Their award-winning successes include 'Birds of a Feather', 'Goodnight Sweetheart' and 'The New Statesman'. Join them for a masterclass as they share some of the secrets of their craft, via examples from some of their most celebrated series.
Zombies in York
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Zombies have taken over York and brought the city to a standstill! But we were quick enough to catch one…
Come along and get involved as University of York scientists dissect the captured zombie in front of a live audience. This gruesome interactive event has hands-on opportunities to study the infectious agent causing the outbreak, examine the zombie blood, play with their brains and more. Will you be able to save York by working out how the disease started and how we can stop the onward march of the Zombies?!
Technology for All? A story of bias in design
Tuesday
13
June
2017
We have a tendency to take technologies and infrastructures for granted: if they are designed as they are, then presumably, this was the 'best' possible option. Or was it?
Intelligent Transport: Is there such a thing? Buses, budgets, cars, computers…
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Come along and have your say about the buses and other transport facilities you want in York. Meet City of York Council and transport company representatives and learn about York’s Local Transport Plan and Intelligent Transport System. Are they fit for purpose? How can they be improved? Does York need a People’s Transport Forum?
Technology for All? A story of bias in design
Tuesday
13
June
2017
We have a tendency to take technologies and infrastructures for granted: if they are designed as they are, then presumably, this was the 'best' possible option. Or was it?
One Planet York: A liveable city (Talk)
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Typically in the UK we use the resources of three planets when we only have one. Explore with us York’s progress to a more sustainable and resilient ‘One Planet’ future and chart the course of the journey ahead.
Archives Blitz-It: The city in print
Tuesday
13
June
2017
Explore York Archives is offering a chance to get hands-on with some of York’s amazing local history collections, including historical material printed in York itself. The Archives holds around 60,000 local history items, including pamphlets, photographs, newspapers and maps.
Stories Against the Clock
Tuesday
13
June
2017
An 80,000 word thesis would take eight hours to present; ten University of York research students have just three minutes each to tell the ‘story’ of their research. Come along and join the audience for the final of York’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)competition and hear about the ground-breaking research taking place in York.
A Comedy of Us Jews
Monday
12
June
2017
In 1940, Jac Weinstein, a member of the Helsinki Jewish Community, wrote a light-hearted musical cabaret sketch about a Jewish clothing merchant who falls in love with a mannequin he has ordered from Paris. The only reference to the war then raging in Europe – a war Finland would join just half a year later – is a brief mention of the bombing of Paris.
Discovered through the research of Simo Muir of the University of Leeds, the script has not been staged since its original production in 1940. This new translation and adaptation by Simo Muir and Lisa Peschel of the University of York, is performed by students from the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television.
Past Mortems: Life and death behind mortuary doors
Monday
12
June
2017
A day in the life of Carla Valentine - curator, pathology technician and 'death professional' - is not your average day. She spent ten years training and working as an Anatomical Pathology Technologist: where the mortuary slab was her desk and that day's corpses her task list.
Discoveries at Must Farm Bronze Age Settlement
Monday
12
June
2017
A recent 10-month excavation by Cambridge Archaeological Unit, funded by Historic England and Forterra, provided a rare window back in time to a Bronze Age stilted settlement in the Cambridgeshire fens. The settlement consisted of several roundhouses supported on piles above a river channel, surrounded by a high wooden palisade. The effects of a catastrophic fire that destroyed the settlement 3000 years ago, combined with waterlogged burial conditions, have led to the survival of several roundhouses and hundreds of unique artefacts.
Mozart’s Fragmented Masterpiece
Monday
12
June
2017
How did Mozart’s ‘unfinished’ Requiem survive to become an eternal and global favourite? Music critic John Warrack explores the secret of the work’s popularity and relates various attempts to complete Mozart’s last, fragmented masterpiece, with musical illustrations both on CD and sung by York Musical Society (YMS).
A Comedy of Us Jews
Monday
12
June
2017
In 1940, Jac Weinstein, a member of the Helsinki Jewish Community, wrote a light-hearted musical cabaret sketch about a Jewish clothing merchant who falls in love with a mannequin he has ordered from Paris. The only reference to the war then raging in Europe – a war Finland would join just half a year later – is a brief mention of the bombing of Paris.
Discovered through the research of Simo Muir of the University of Leeds, the script has not been staged since its original production in 1940. This new translation and adaptation by Simo Muir and Lisa Peschel of the University of York, is performed by students from the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television.
White Space
Monday
12
June
2017
Join Beth Healey, a medical doctor who recently returned from a year-long mission for the European Space Agency to Concordia Station n Antarctica. to learn about her daily life in Antarctica and the lessons learned for future settlements on Mars.
For What It’s Worth…
Monday
12
June
2017
Join renowned American medieval crime writer Candace Robb as she explores the York setting for her books. Based on her Owen Archer and Kate Clifford crime novels, Candace talks about the role of objects in the motivation for crime and in the creation of a fictional world within a real environment.
Istanbul: The story of a city from Roman times to the Ottoman conquest
Monday
12
June
2017
Join Roberta Marin, an expert in Islamic art and architecture, as she examines the origins of Istanbul and the different phases of its long history. She will discuss the important role played by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (272 AD–337 AD), who renamed the ancient Byzantium as Constantinople. She’ll take a look at his renovated Hippodrome and its famous forum, before continuing with the Byzantine Emperor Justinian (482-565) and his most acclaimed artistic achievement, Haghia Sophia (Holy Wisdom, from 532).
The Art of the Bible: Illuminated manuscripts
Monday
12
June
2017
Join Scot McKendrick and Kathleen Doyle, authors of 'The Art of the Bible: Illuminated Manuscripts from the Medieval World', as they discuss their book with a panel of experts from the University of York’s Centre for Medieval Studies and explore a selection of manuscripts from the treasures of the British Library.
Aldborough: Exploring a buried Roman town
Monday
12
June
2017
Beneath the picturesque North Yorkshire village of Aldborough, lie buried the remains of a major Roman town. Isurium Brigantum was once the capital of the tribe of the Brigantes who occupied much of northern Britain. Excavations in the 19th century revealed elements of its plan and a number of impressive mosaics, but our understanding of it has remained limited because of the later village. Learn about some exciting new insights into the site's history.
A Walk through the Lost Centuries: Anglian York
Monday
12
June
2017
Anglian York is a forgotten period. Following the decline of Roman York the city slips into the shadows but it slowly re-emerges to become a place worth attacking by the Viking Great Army. Walk the streets of York and find out how archaeological excavation and speculation allows us to recreate this invisible but extraordinary phase in York’s long history. Join archaeologist Ailsa Mainman for a guided walk and to find out more.
A Market of Nice Things
Monday
12
June
2017
Looking for inspiration and that special gift? Come along and browse at our arts and crafts fair, with its collection of stalls selling a range of homemade crafts, original artworks and prints.
Objects, Stories and the Makings of Military Memory
Monday
12
June
2017
The York Army Museum, like other military museums, contains in its collections a range of objects that may appear, at first glance, randomly eclectic: not just the usual medals and uniforms and regimental trophies, but inkwells made from the hooves of a horse that charged at the Battle of Balaklava, a mounted moose head, a bullet-damaged cigarette case from World War I, and a fragment of silk from the curtains of Napoleon’s camp bed (with coffee stain). What do such objects tell us about the memory culture of military organisations?
Science Places and Things: A York walk
Monday
12
June
2017
Come join us for a guided walk and change your perceptions of York’s history. The York Science Trails Group aims to highlight the city’s important and interesting scientific people and locations: from Alcuin, anemometers and atomic science to bears, botany and zoos.
Archives Blitz-It: The city in print
Monday
12
June
2017
Explore York Archives is offering a chance to get hands-on with some of York’s amazing local history collections, including historical material printed in York itself. The Archives holds around 60,000 local history items, including pamphlets, photographs, newspapers and maps.
What Does the General Election Result Mean for Brexit?
Sunday
11
June
2017
How did Brexit affect the outcome of the 2017 general election and what does the general election mean for Brexit? Bringing together policy experts, academics and politicians, this event will reflect upon British electoral politics and the question of Europe. It will further discuss the options available for the UK government and the EU going forward post-election.
A Very Expensive Poison
Sunday
11
June
2017
Join Luke Harding, author of 'A Very Expensive Poison', as he provides the definitive inside story of the life and death of Alexander Litvinenko. His book and talk are based on the best part of a decade's reporting, as well as extensive interviews with those closest to the events (including the murder suspects), and access to trial evidence.
Leeds Baroque Orchestra: Made in the North
Sunday
11
June
2017
Leeds Baroque, with their director Peter Holman, celebrates the music made and performed by 18th-century composers from the North of England, including a first modern performance of an extract from an anthem by Edmund Ayrton (1704-1808) from Ripon.
The Poetry of Plants
Sunday
11
June
2017
Explore the poetry of plants on a guided tour of the University of York’s Campus West. Through a series of poetry readings, you’ll look at how the botanical world has inspired poems, including Seamus Heaney’s 'Blackberry-Picking', Alice Oswald’s 'Daisy' and Marianne Moore’s 'Rosemary'.
My European Family
Sunday
11
June
2017
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances this event has been cancelled.
Operation Codebreaker
Sunday
11
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
The History Thieves: Secrets, Lies and the Shaping of a Modern Nation
Sunday
11
June
2017
Join Ian Cobain as he offers a fresh appraisal of some of the key moments in British history since the end of World War II, including: the measures taken to conceal the existence of Bletchley Park and its successor, GCHQ, for three decades; the unreported wars fought during the 1960s and 1970s; and the hidden links with terrorist cells during the Troubles.
Fish ‘n’ Ships: Fishing through time
Sunday
11
June
2017
Join University of York archaeologists, historians and ecologists to discuss how people caught, farmed, and used fish in the past and still use them today. Take part in fish related activities suitable for all the family: get your hands dirty digging for the remains of a meal, touch fish skeletons, or make your own colourful fish using fish glue.
Operation Codebreaker
Sunday
11
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
The Pulverised
Saturday
10
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
Faith in the Questions
Saturday
10
June
2017
Compared with the centuries long hand-in-hand relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry, recent debate has, for many people, become mistrustful and sharply adversarial. Which side is God on? Or is this the wrong question to ask? This is just one of any number of good and provocative questions thrown out by Faith in the Questions, a combination of theatre and scientific discussion.
Road to Freedom
Saturday
10
June
2017
Enjoy an exciting joint concert by the SPON Netherlands Wind Orchestra and the University of York Wind Orchestra celebrating freedom. The programme covers a wide range of music to express the musical Road to Freedom and includes works by Elgar, The Beatles, Charles Chaplin, as well as music by composers from The Netherlands.
Traces of Sound and Light
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join us to see St Margaret’s Church through the curious minds of digital artist Annabeth Robinson and audio designer Jez Wells. Explore this medieval building which has transformed over the centuries from a sacred space to an award-winning music venue. You’ll virtually move around in the space and hear in slow motion and shifting detail how it responds to sounds made within it.
Ciné Lumière: Jour de Fête by Jacques Tati
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join us for the classic 1949 French comedy, Jour de Fête. Jacques Tati’s debut feature film, it follows a clumsy, scatter-brained postman François, who is goaded into watching a film about the efficient United States postal system at a village fair. Inspired by the film, a bumbling François sets off on his bicycle to become just like a USA mail carrier…
Small Finds and Stories That Matter
Saturday
10
June
2017
From the everyday and mundane sherds of pottery infilling a prehistoric ditch, to gleaming swords and chariot burials, objects offer their stories to those who are willing to listen. Join archaeologist Mel Giles and poet John Wedgwood Clarke as they share their experiences of working with words and things in a range of projects, from excavations and installations, to collaborations with other poets, writers and filmmakers.
Where Next for Democracy?
Saturday
10
June
2017
We explore the challenges for diplomacy and the rule of law in the years ahead. Among the speakers is Ögmundur Jónasson, Honorary Associate of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and former member of the Icelandic Parliament.
Early Northumbrian Coinage and Eadberht's Beast
Saturday
10
June
2017
Come see the beast! A mysterious beast, with subtle variations, appears on the coins of the following seventh and eighth century Northumbrian kings: Aldfrith, Eadberht, Alchred, Aethelred 1, and Aelfwald. Come along and learn more.
Democracy and Europe
Saturday
10
June
2017
With impending French and German elections and the increasing influence and success of European extremist political parties, a range of speakers will reflect on the future of democracy in Europe in the wake of Brexit. Ambassador Karl-Erik Norrman, Founder and Secretary General of the European Culture Parliament, opens the discussions with a keynote address on the role of culture in the pursuit of democracy.
Don’t Be a Dick, Pete
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join author and Guardian columnist Stuart Heritage as he discusses his unconventional and laugh-out-loud biography of his brother, 'Don’t Be A Dick, Pete'. The book is a hilarious examination of home and family; sons, fathers, fatherhood, sibling relationships and how hard it is to move on in a system that’s loaded with several decades of preconceived ideas about you.
The Pulverised
Saturday
10
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
Ciné Lumière: Ridicule by Patrice Leconte
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join us for a special screening of the 1996 French comedy Ridicule, directed by Patrice Leconte. Set in the 18th century court of Louis XVI, the story examines the social injustices of late 18th century France, showing the corruption and callousness of the aristocrats.
The Mystery of the Anglo-Saxon Helmets
Saturday
10
June
2017
Learn about the Anglo-Saxon helmets found across the British Isles, including an ornately decorated helmet found at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and another found locally in York’s Coppergate. Adam Wilkes, a student with the University of Leicester, will discuss finds dating from the sixth to eighth centuries, examining the mystery of how and why the helmets were buried.
Mapping Women’s History in York
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join York Explore Archivist Laura Yeoman as she guides you through some of the highlights of the York Archives materials that reveal the fascinating lives of women in York’s history. York St John University researchers Elodie Duché, Anne-Marie Evans and Kaley Kramer will then introduce some of the women that inspire their research.
Democracy, News and Social Media
Saturday
10
June
2017
David Patrikarakos, Poynter Fellow at Yale University, Contributing Editor to 'The Daily Beast and Politico' and author of the forthcoming book 'War in 140 Characters: How Social Media Is Reshaping Conflict in the Twenty-First Century', delivers the keynote speech. Afterwards, members of our panel, including Daniel Pearl, Channel 4’s Deputy Head of News and Current Affairs, explore the effects of social media and fake news on democracy.
Festival Fringe Family Fun Afternoon
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join University of York postgraduate students for an afternoon of energetic, crafty, puzzling, scientific and historical fun at this year’s Festival Fringe Family Fun Afternoon. Activities are particularly suitable for five to 11-year-olds but other family members are welcome to join in too.
The Strictly Experience
Saturday
10
June
2017
Ever wondered how 'Strictly Come Dancing' gets made? Or what it’s like to take part? Join the show’s Executive Producer Louise Rainbow, its Communications Manager Chris McCluskey and former contestant Ed Balls to find out.
Caribbean Food and Storytelling: A Journey
Saturday
10
June
2017
We’re used to saying: ‘We are what we eat’ but what about ‘We are how we cook and talk about food’? Sarah Lawson Welsh, expert on Caribbean food and writing, explores how the use of a simple iron pot or ‘duchy’, originally introduced by the Dutch for use on slave ships and used by African slave populations in the Caribbean, gave rise to a richly varied culinary and oral storytelling tradition.
Operation Codebreaker
Saturday
10
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
Lenin the Dictator: An intimate portrait
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join author Victor Sebestyen as he provides an intimate view of a man who loved nature almost as much as he loved making revolution, and whose closest ties and friendships were with women. Victor explains how the long-suppressed story of Lenin’s menage a trois with his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya, and his mistress and comrade, Inessa Armand, reveals a different character to the coldly one-dimensional figure of legend.
The Threat to Democracy
Saturday
10
June
2017
Our Focus Day begins with a keynote speech by Mark Laity, Chief Strategic Communications (StratCom) for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), before our expert panel considers the threats to democracy. The session is chaired by Matt Matravers, Director of the Morrell Centre for Toleration, University of York.
Fish ‘n’ Ships: Fishing through time
Saturday
10
June
2017
Join University of York archaeologists, historians and ecologists to discuss how people caught, farmed, and used fish in the past and still use them today. Take part in fish related activities suitable for all the family: get your hands dirty digging for the remains of a meal, touch fish skeletons, or make your own colourful fish using fish glue.
Flying High! A Birding Triple Bill
Saturday
10
June
2017
Put on your walking shoes, bring your binoculars if you have them and enjoy a unique birding triple bill. Join poet and performer Anneliese Emmans Dean for a journey through the bird year in laughter, rhythm and rhyme, followed by a chance to take a look at her new book Flying High!
Unlocking Robert Harris’ Novel, Conclave Part One
Saturday
10
June
2017
The international best-selling author, Robert Harris, is well-known for tackling big subjects in an imaginative, compelling and gripping way. Beginning with his first novel, Fatherland, which imagines a world in which Germany won World War II, Harris has written variously about ancient Rome (Pompeii, Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator), Russia (Archangel), France (An Officer and a Spy), as well as a novel loosely based on Tony Blair (The Ghost).
Operation Codebreaker
Saturday
10
June
2017
Calling all would be spies, secret agents and codebreakers. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join Mrs Taylor our World War II recruiter, to crack codes and unravel secret messages in order to discover the stories behind some of our museum objects.
The Historic Mystery of Old St Oswald’s, Fulford
Saturday
10
June
2017
A piece of Anglian-form ninth-tenth-century stone cross was found at the old church of St Oswald in 1980, when the building was converted into a private house. This discovery raises interesting questions about the origins of the church and its remote riverside location, half a mile from the village.
The Final Threads
Friday
9
June
2017
Join the Northern Youth as they present a fashion show exploring the creative process and celebrating the dynamism of the unfinished garment.
The Pulverised
Friday
9
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
Faith in the Questions
Friday
9
June
2017
Compared with the centuries long hand-in-hand relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry, recent debate has, for many people, become mistrustful and sharply adversarial. Which side is God on? Or is this the wrong question to ask? This is just one of any number of good and provocative questions thrown out by Faith in the Questions, a combination of theatre and scientific discussion.
A Night at the Movies with ASFF
Friday
9
June
2017
The BAFTA Qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival presents a selection of outstanding films from the 2016 edition. The event features the 2015 People’s Choice winner 'Acoustic Kitty' followed by a Q&A with director Jennifer Sheridan and producer Adam Shakinovsky.
Curating Balenciaga: Shaping fashion
Friday
9
June
2017
Learn about the curating of the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum’s summer fashion exhibition, Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion. This is the first ever UK exhibition to look at the vision and legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga, one of the most revered and influential fashion designers of the 20th century.
England’s Earliest Coinage: The York gold shilling
Friday
9
June
2017
Experts have condemned the York gold shilling as ‘devoid of sense’ and later than seventh-century southern shillings. However, archaeologist Tony Abramson’s revelation of the inscription on the gold shilling has rewritten the chronology of early Anglo-Saxon coinage, making it the earliest datable English coin. Tony’s revelation was unprecedented in identifying not only the issuer, but the precise date of issue and the events commemorated.
Spectacular Justice
Friday
9
June
2017
Join Ruth Penfold-Mounce and Rosie Smith of the University of York, as they examine high profile criminal cases including Oscar Pistorius and Jodi Arias, and investigate the effects of media coverage.
The Story of Hats
Friday
9
June
2017
From bowlers to Bergères, join Clair Hughes, author of 'Hats', for the ultimate guide to hats through history. From the lavish fashion hats of Marie Antoinette’s court to the experimental millinery of Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy, Clair takes you on a beautifully illustrated journey through class conflict, gendered etiquette and national allegiances to reveal the complex cultures from which each style emerged.
Europe: A history of migrations
Friday
9
June
2017
Join historians, including Maxine Berg of the University of Warwick and Claire Zalc of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS), as they examine the topical issue of European migration.
Perspectives on Franco-British Relations
Friday
9
June
2017
Renaud Morieux of the University of Cambridge and Christina de Bellaigue of the University of Oxford, together with other members of our expert panel, explore France and Britain’s relationship from different standpoints. Renaud will examine migrations from the 17th to 19th centuries, while Christina will discuss women and social mobility.
Treasures of the Early Baroque
Friday
9
June
2017
Join early song specialists Musicke in the Ayre as they provide luscious lunchtime fare from France and Italy. Written by Luzzaschi, Lambert, Strozzi, Monteverdi and others for the then newly emerging all-female ensembles, these pieces became musical ‘must-haves’ in the noble courts of the time.
The Voices in All Our Heads
Friday
9
June
2017
Psychologist and award-winning writer Charles Fernyhough tells a story of things in our minds. He explores the inner voice and dialogue in all our heads, and how this may help us understand how and why some people hear voices.
What is Europe?
Friday
9
June
2017
Our speakers, including Jean-Frédéric Schaub of the the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and Peter Mandler of the University of Cambridge, examine issues around Europe’s identities.
Did You Say Europe?
Friday
9
June
2017
Our Festival Focus Day begins with keynote speeches by two eminent historians, Roger Chartier and Chris Clark. Roger Chartier will explore the creation of European Literature in Early Modern times, looking at Don Quixote’s reception and translations in Spain, France and England. Chris Clark will discuss 1848 as a European Revolution. Unlike the revolutions of 1789, 1830, 1870, 1917 and 1989, the revolutions of 1848 were a continent-wide phenomenon. He reflects on the unique simultaneity of these revolutions, on their trans-national consequences and on their meaning as a European event.
The Pulverised
Thursday
8
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
Creating The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains
Thursday
8
June
2017
Find out about the making of the V&A’s major exhibition The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains with Victoria Broackes and Anna Landreth Strong from the museum’s Department of Theatre and Performance. Marking 50 years since Pink Floyd released their first single, the exhibition explores the extraordinary work of a band whose influence can be felt across music, art, design, photography, technology, film and performance.
Vampyres: Genesis and resurrection
Thursday
8
June
2017
Christopher Frayling has spent 45 years exploring the history of one of the most enduring figures in the history of mass culture – the vampire. Join Christopher as he discusses vampires in literature, from the folklore of Eastern Europe to the Romantics and beyond. Find out about the historical and imaginative implications of vampire mythology in the arts, from the medieval Count Vlad to President Ceaucescu.
Faith in the Questions
Thursday
8
June
2017
Compared with the centuries long hand-in-hand relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry, recent debate has, for many people, become mistrustful and sharply adversarial. Which side is God on? Or is this the wrong question to ask? This is just one of any number of good and provocative questions thrown out by Faith in the Questions, a combination of theatre and scientific discussion.
The Enduring Appeal of Jane Austen
Thursday
8
June
2017
What is Jane Austen’s legacy and why does her work continue to enjoy such popularity? Join our panel of experts and enthusiasts as they explore all things Austen: the enduring appeal of her novels, the fascination with the life of the author, the ways in which her novels have been adapted and reworked, and the many aspects of Austen fandom.
Recreating 18th-century Interiors at the V&A
Thursday
8
June
2017
Join Joanna Norman of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A) as she explores the stories of period rooms and their challenges through the V & A’s 18th-century interiors, shown in the British Galleries and in the Europe 1600-1815 galleries, which opened in 2015.
To Be a Machine
Thursday
8
June
2017
What is transhumanism? Simply put, it is a movement whose aim is to use technology to fundamentally change the human condition, to improve our bodies and minds to the point where we become something other, and better, than the animals we are. It's a philosophy that, depending on how you look at it, can seem hopeful, or terrifying, or absurd.
X-ray Art
Thursday
8
June
2017
We live in a world obsessed with image and superficial appearances; what we and our clothes, houses and cars look like. To counter this, visual artist Nick Veasey uses x-rays to strip back the layers and show what everyday objects are like under the surface. Instead of creating or transforming objects, Nick exposes something that always existed, transforming the banal to the beguiling.
The Emperor Hadrian (reigned AD 117-138) and His Travels
Thursday
8
June
2017
Join historian Anthony Birley as he discusses Hadrian’s travels and his passion for hellenic (Greek) culture. Learn how Hadrian sought to give the Greek-speaking parts of the Empire renewed self-confidence, with Athens the centre of a new ‘Panhellenic League’.
Is Free Will an Illusion?
Thursday
8
June
2017
Join philosopher Julian Baggini and psychologists Christian Jarrett and Adrian Raine as they look at free will from differing perspectives. Julian will address the questions of what does free will mean and do we have it. Are we products of our culture, or free agents within it? How much responsibility should we take for our actions?
What Matters in Jane Austen?
Thursday
8
June
2017
Come along and discover when Austen's characters had their meals and what shops they went to; how vicars got good livings; and how wealth was inherited. John Mullan illuminates the rituals and conventions of Austen’s fictional world in order to reveal her technical virtuosity and daring as a novelist.
The Pulverised
Thursday
8
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
The Pulverised
Wednesday
7
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
Alcuin and the Anglo-Saxon Riddle-Tradition
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Through the quirky lens of the riddling tradition, various aspects both of the Anglo-Saxon world-view and of Alcuin’s individual personality and perspective will be explored and explained.
When the V&A and Science Museum Were One
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Join Bill Sherman from the V&A and Tim Boon from the Science Museum, London to dive into the amazing origins of South Kensington’s great museums, which mixed science, art, and much else besides in ways that are inspiring today’s curators.
Designers of the Future
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Join Warren Fearn of York St John University as he explains how augmented reality tools can be used to enhance the creative work of the designer.
A Director’s Story
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Theatre and television director and writer Phillip Breen’s work has played all over the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles, and Dubai to the streets of Assisi. An eclectic range, it encompasses opera, theatre, comedy, musicals, jazz cabaret, community theatre projects, new work and classics. He has directed plays at the Citizens Theatre, the Swan and the West End of London among many other venues.
This Way Madness Lies
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Is mental illness – or madness – at root an illness of the body, a disease of the mind, or a sickness of the soul? Should those who suffer from it be secluded from society or integrated more fully into it? Join author Mike Jay as he explores the meaning of mental illness through successive incarnations of the institution that defined it: the 18th-century madhouse; the 19th-century asylum; the 20th-century mental hospital; and the post-asylum modern day, when mental health has become the concern of the wider community
Puzzles in the Pub
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Join mathematician and biologist Rosalyn Leaman of the University of York as she introduces the puzzles at an informal session in the ancient and medieval arithmetical gymnasium. Come along and sharpen your wits over a glass of specially brewed Eoforwic Ale.
Peter Lord: The story of my life
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Meet Peter Lord, Co-founder and Creative Director of Academy Award® winning studio Aardman, and director and producer of animation classics such as 'Morph', 'Creature Comforts', 'Chicken Run', the 'Wallace and Gromit' series and 'Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists'.
Improvisations on the Story of Things
Wednesday
7
June
2017
Passion, depth of emotion and innate musical ability are demonstrated in Paul Wilkinson’s improvised piano music. Featuring beautifully crafted melodies, Paul creates his own compositions and explores and interprets the music of others, including a few popular, recognisable songs. With no absolute certainty about content, come along, sit back and enjoy a journey through the art of improvisation.
The Pulverised
Tuesday
6
June
2017
The Pulverised is a vital new play about escaping the rat race, overcoming borders and discovering new life.
Race and Racism in Modern Britain
Tuesday
6
June
2017
Join Reni Eddo-Lodge as she explores issues from eradicated black history to the political purpose of white dominance, and from whitewashed feminism to the inextricable link between class and race, offering a new framework for how to see, acknowledge and counter racism.
William Morris and the Politics of Pots
Tuesday
6
June
2017
William Morris, the 19th-century designer and socialist, is widely appreciated today for his creativity and for fostering the values of craft ‘making’. Join Gill Chitty and David Stocker of the Universities of York and Leeds as they explain how research into the Rhenish stoneware pottery collected at his country home, Kelmscott Manor, sheds new light on Morris’ ideas and vision for everyday art and creativity.
Broadcasting the Brightest Minds
Tuesday
6
June
2017
Meet five New Generation Thinkers and hear their ideas on topics including the history of breastfeeding and how we deal with tyrants.
Susan Aldworth: The Dark Self
Tuesday
6
June
2017
The Dark Self is a major new exhibition featuring prints, installation, moving image and sculptures, all exploring the mystery of what happens to the ‘self’ during deep sleep. It includes 1001 embroidered pillowcases, sewn by people from across the UK, each representing ideas of sleep and dreams.
Viking: Rediscover the legend…The York Helmet
Tuesday
6
June
2017
The eighth-century York Helmet is the most outstanding example of the Anglo-Saxon period to survive in Europe. Discover the inscription in Latin on its crest and what else we can tell about its probable owner. Join York Museums Trust Curator of Archaeology, Natalie Buy, to learn more.
Science out of the Lab
Saturday
3
June
2017
Find out about the exciting research being carried out in York as local scientists come out of the lab and onto the city’s streets to demonstrate their work.
Science out of the Lab
Friday
2
June
2017
Find out about the exciting research being carried out in York as local scientists come out of the lab and onto the city’s streets to demonstrate their work.
