Thursday, 28 September 2023
The renowned artist and writer, , will deliver a free public lecture in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ next month.
The delivered in partnership with the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, aims to attract world-leading authors to the city. It provides a platform for leading writers and thinkers to share their ideas and promote ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s wide-ranging expertise on international literature, literacy, and the wider creative economy. This year, it will also celebrate the start of a four-year programme of investment in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½’s libraries.
Edmund de Waal’s UNESCO City of Literature lecture is titled In this illustrated talk, Edmund explores how his own family story of migration and exile has influenced his work as an artist. He will focus on projects in Vienna and Paris, and on his Library of Exile - a library containing books in English and in translation by those who have had to flee persecution.
De Waal, who was born in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, is an internationally renowned ceramic artist with large scale installations at many of the world’s most famous museums, heritage sites and diverse spaces. He became an acclaimed writer after publishing his family memoir, ‘The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance’, in 2010. The book became an international bestseller, winning the 2011 Costa Biography Award, the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, the Galaxy National Book Award for New Writer of the Year, and the Independent Bookshop Week’s ‘Book of the Decade’ in 2016. In 2021, an exhibition based on the memoir took place at The Jewish Museum in New York, designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. De Waal published his second book, ‘The White Road’ in 2015 - the same year that he won the Windham-Campbell Prize for non-fiction by Yale University. In 2021, he published ‘Letters to Camondo’, a series of haunting letters written during lockdown, and he was awarded a CBE for his services to art.
I am so honoured to be giving this year’s UNESCO lecture in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, the city of my birth, exploring the ways in which stories move through families and across the world.
The lecture will be introduced by Professor Shearer West, Vice Chancellor at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½.
We are proud to be hosting ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s fourth annual City of Literature lecture. The event is an ideal opportunity to celebrate ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s rich literary heritage and support its thriving writing community. I am especially delighted to welcome Edmund de Waal back to his birth city this year to hear his reflections on a remarkable literary career.
We’re delighted that Edmund de Waal is delivering this year’s lecture and will share his reflections on his work as artist and writer. The evening will illustrate the power of libraries and books to bring people together, share stories, languages and dialogue. I’m pleased that we are once again partnering with the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ on this flagship event in our calendar.
The lecture will take place in the Long Gallery at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Castle on Tuesday 24th October at 6pm. The event is open to everyone and free to attend, but guests must
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Image copyright: Tom Jamieson
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About the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what’s next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
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As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ invests in the city of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and in future generations of talent. Alongside ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we’re creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.