We are pleased to announce that internationally acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane will give our third annual lecture at the Council House Ballroom in Nottingham on the 22nd May 2019. The annual UNESCO lecture aims to provide a platform for leading writers and thinkers to share their ideas and promote Nottingham city’s wide-ranging expertise on international literature, literacy and the wider creative economy.
Robert, who grew up in Notts and attended Nottingham High School, is renowned for his writing on landscape, memory, place and nature. His books have been widely adapted for film, television and radio, and he has collaborated with many artists, photographers and musicians. Robert Macfarlane’s Underland, perhaps the most eagerly anticipated non-fiction book of 2019, takes us on a journey into the worlds beneath our feet. From the ice-blue depths of Greenland’s glaciers to the underground networks by which trees communicate, from Bronze Age burial chambers to the rock art of remote Arctic sea-caves, this is a deep-time voyage into the planet’s past and future, and into darkness and its meanings. Global in its geography, gripping in its voice and haunting in its implications, it is both an ancient and an urgent work.
Robert’s collaboration with illustrator, Jackie Morris saw their gorgeously illustrated book The Lost Words prompt an exciting movement in Nottingham. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, every primary and special school in Nottinghamshire now has a copy of the award-winning book, enabling teachers to inspire all primary age children to experience the acrostic spell-poems and stunning artwork brought to life by Jackie Morris.
Sandeep Mahal, Director of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature said: “It’s completely brilliant that Robert has agreed to deliver the third UNESCO City of Literature lecture during a special week when Nottingham and Norwich come together to co-host the annual meeting of UNESCO Cities of Literature. It will undoubtedly be an inspiring lecture about the natural world and the importance of reconnecting with nature through words and poetry.”
Jeremy Gregory, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Nottingham said: “We are delighted to welcome Robert back to Nottingham (his home city) to deliver this prestigious annual lecture. The aim of this series is to explore how literature speaks to one or more of UNESCO’s goals, and Robert’s lecture will be a powerful testimony to the ways in which writing shapes, reflects, and creates our understanding of the natural world. We look forward to hearing it.”
The UNESCO City of Literature lecture will take place in the Council House Ballroom, Old Market Square, Nottingham 7.00pm, Wednesday 22nd May 2019. Book your ticket via Eventbrite.
This lecture is part of Nottwich: the annual meeting of 28 UNESCO Cities of Literature from 20th – 24th May 2019.
Follow the conversation on Twitter using #UNESCOlecture and @nottmcityoflit.org
Please make all enquiries to: Matt Turpin, Communications and Project Manager matt@nottmcityoflit.org