Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
16 June marks the 75th anniversary of the UK release of Ealing comedy ‘Whisky Galore’. Starring Basil Radford, Joan Greenwood, James Robertson Justice and Gordon Jackson, among others and based on a true event – the running aground of the SS Politican, it tells the story of a shipwreck off a fictional Scottish island, whose … Continue reading “Whisky Galore”
13 June 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the UK release of the sublime (and the Ed’s favourite film) Ealing comedy ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets’. Directed by Robert Hamer (born in Kidderminster) and featuring Dennis Price, Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson and Joan Greenwood, with a delightful cameo from Miles Malleson, the story (based loosely on … Continue reading “Kind Hearts and Coronets”
21 May 2024 marks 25 years since the UK release of Richard Curtis’ film ‘Notting Hill’. Starring Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, the story is of a romance between a British bookseller (Grant) and a famous American actress (Roberts) who happens to walk into his shop in London’s Notting Hill district. Winning a host of awards – … Continue reading “Notting Hill – 25th anniversary”
Post submitted by Caitlin, Student Experience Ambassador Opening on 6th May 1994, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel. The anniversary allows us to reflect on three decades of profound connectivity between the United Kingdom and France. Since its inauguration, the tunnel has facilitated seamless travel, trade and cultural exchange, symbolizing the … Continue reading “30th anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel”
Submitted by Caitlin, Student Experience Ambassador 4th May marks the centenary of the death of English writer and poet, E. Nesbit, and offers a chance to commemorate not only the woman herself but also the enduring impact of her literary contributions. Edith Nesbit, renowned for her children’s classics like “The Railway Children” and “Five Children and … Continue reading “E Nesbit – centenary”
28 April marks the 75th anniversary of the UK release of Passport to Pimlico, a 1949 Ealing comedy starring Stanley Holloway, Margaret Rutherford, Charles Hawtrey and Hermione Baddeley, among a host of other well-known names at he time. The story concerns the unearthing of treasure and documents that leads to a small part of Pimlico being … Continue reading “75th anniversary of ‘Passport to Pimlico’”
The British Empire Exhibition was opened on 23 April 1924 by King George V and Queen Mary at the Empire Stadium. The King gave a speech on the opening day which was broadcast by the BBC, becoming the first broadcast made by a British monarch on radio. The exhibition was described as a successor to … Continue reading “British Empire Exhibition 100th anniversary”
Post contributed by Lorna, Student Experience Ambassador Lord Byron was an influential literary figure who helped influence the Romantic movement inthe late 18th and 19th centuries. The Romantic movement focused on the human condition,emotion, imagination and individualism as a rebellion to the rationalism and order of theEnlightenment period. George Gordon Byron, commonly known as Lord … Continue reading “200th anniversary of the death of Lord Byron”
Post submitted by Caitlin, Student Experience Ambassador 16 April marks the centenary of the birth of Henry Mancini, American composer, conductor, arranger, pianist and flautist. He is often cited as one of the greatest composers in the history of film. On this day, we celebrate a musical genius whose compositions shaped the very fabric of … Continue reading “Henry Mancini – centenary”
50th anniversary of Sweden’s very first Eurovision Song Contest win in 1974 with ABBA (Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid) singing ‘Waterloo’. The victory in Brighton ended up launching the career of one of the most successful acts in the history of music. The rest, as they say, is history!
