Eighth-Century Twinning? York and Münster Mary Garrison, Ursula Lanvers, Liz O’Neill and Alex Newport
Event details
The twin cities York and Münster were making waves long before their mid-20th century twinning began. Both produced famous theologians in the eighth century, Alcuin of York and St Liudger, first Bishop of Münster, who spent two long periods studying in York with Alcuin.
His second sojourn was cut short, but he was given an abundance of books on leaving, and these well-travelled manuscripts shed light on the literary and intellectual world of the eighth century and this early phase of traffic between the two places. Mary Garrison of the University of York will discuss these historical links, presenting images of the relevant manuscripts and excerpts of letters and poems.
Today, town-twinning activities are like pebbles thrown into a lake: the ripples may be small but they are far-reaching, in surprising ways. New Münster–York links are being created or sought between rowing clubs, bridge players, musicians and others. Hear from Huntington School teachers and students about the very popular annual student exchange programme and its far-reaching consequences.
Join us and discover how the long-standing partnership between the two cities offers opportunities for our schools, young adults, sport and hobby groups, and all York residents.
This event is presented by the York Münster Twinning Association.
Learn more about the York Münster Twinning Association.
Image credit: York Münster Twinning Association
About the speakers
Dr Mary Garrison is an early medieval historian in the Department of History, University of York.
Dr Ursula Lanvers is Chair of YMTA and Professor in Language Education in the Department of Education at the University of York.
Language teachers Liz O’Neill and Alex Newport lead the successful exchange programme at Huntington School.