Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Sadly her father, an ironmonger with his own business in Deansgate, died when Frances was four years old and while her mother was pregnant with her fifth child. From her grandmother, who bought her books, Frances learned to love reading, in particular her first book, The … Continue reading “Frances Hodgson Burnett – centenary”
Gustav Holst, b Cheltenham (1874-1924), was an English composer, arranger and teacher whose suite ‘The Planets’ is one of the best-known pieces of classical music ever written. Holst’s works were played frequently in the early years of the 20th century, but it was not until the international success of The Planets in the years immediately after the … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Holst”
Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) was an Austrian composer and organist, best known for his symphonies and sacred music. His compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, with their dissonances, unprepared modulations and roving harmonies. He is best known for Symphonies Nos 3 to 9 – each of them has a distinctive character but all have common … Continue reading “Bicentenary of the birth of Anton Bruckner”
The British-American post-war film ‘The Third Man’, which was shot in Vienna, celebrated its world premiere in London in 1949 and was successful all over the world. By composing the film music, Viennese Heurigen musician Anton Karas became a world star overnight. Written by Graham Greene, directed by Carol Reed and starring, among others, Joseph … Continue reading “75th anniversary of the UK premiere of ‘The Third Man’”
George Stubbs ARA (1724-1806) was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the 18th century such as Reynolds and Gainsborough. Early clients for his sporting and racing paintings included many of the noblemen who founded the Jockey Club. Stubbs spent his … Continue reading “George Stubbs 300th anniversary”
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924), born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, was a Polish-British novelist, regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language, although he did not speak English fluently until his twenties. He wrote novels and stories, many in nautical settings, that depict crises of human individuality in the midst of what he saw … Continue reading “Joseph Conrad – centenary”
Post submitted by Akshita, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors Asalha Puja (20 July 2024), also known as Dharma Day, is one of the most significant Buddhist holidays, celebrated annually on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, typically in July. This day marks the Buddha’s first sermon, which set the wheel of … Continue reading “Asalha Puja: Celebrating the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”
Post submitted by Akshita, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors Twenty-five years ago “The Blair Witch Project” revolutionised the horror genre. The film had a limited release on July 14 1999, before expanding to a wider release starting on July 30. Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, this groundbreaking film introduced the found footage … Continue reading “Blair Witch Project – 25th anniversary”
Post submitted by Akshita, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors Bastille Day, celebrated annually on July 14th, commemorates the Storming of the Bastille in 1789, a pivotal event in the French Revolution. While commonly referred to as Bastille Day in English-speaking countries, it is known in France as Fête Nationale Française (French National Celebration) or … Continue reading “Bastille Day le quatorze juillet”
Ernö Rubik, a Hungarian who studied architecture and went on to become a professor of descriptive geometry, is credited with having created the cube. His classes taught students how to visualise three-dimensional shapes in two-dimensional images. One day in the spring of 1974, while researching Platonic solids, Rubik saw the possibility of putting together eight … Continue reading “Rubik’s Cube at 50”
