Newcastle’s Literary and Philosophical Society (The Lit & Phil) is hosting a three week celebration and exhibition around the life and works of Dante Alighieri, the hugely influential author and poet, who died 700 years ago, but who has inspired creativity for centuries and who promoted the use of Italian.
This is an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds, for schools, universities and communities, lovers of literature, art, history, language and Italy to celebrate Dante and in the atmospheric surroundings of The Lit & Phil.
The celebrations will feature: books from their collection; displays of work by such contrasting illustrators from the neo-classical John Flaxman to the very gothic Gustave Doré, from the visionary William Blake to Mickey Mouse; fascinating talks; an amazing film from 1911 and a concert by the “ just incredible” voices of Gesualdo Six who will present a programme of vocal music from Italy in the extraordinary and atmospheric main library at the Lit & Phil.
The celebrations are taking place in the magnificent 200 year old building in the heart of Newcastle – the gem that is the Lit & Phil – which is the largest independent library outside London, with over 200,000 books and a music library and which presents concerts, talks, classes, workshops, tours and festivals.
Click here for links to Dante events and activities 2-23 December or click on the links below
Click here to find out more about Dante, the celebration and the Lit & Phil
Event programme 2nd-23rd December
Thu 2nd Exhibition opening and party
Sat 4th The Flower Of The Italian Madrigal: a concert by the Gesualdo Six (This event is generously sponsored by Cavavin Newcastle)
Wed 8th Crossing the Styx, translating The Inferno: a talk by Sean O’Brien
Mon 13th Bringing Dante to life: an online talk by Keith Jewitt
Thu 16th Dante and the Muslim world: a talk by Prof. Daniel Newman
Sat 18th L’Inferno: the first full length Italian silent film made in 1911 with a new soundtrack by Edison Studio. (This event is generously sponsored by Guest Wines)
Monday 20th Dante, Rossetti and the Victorian Viewpoint A talk by Gail-Nina Anderson
Thu 23rd Exhibition closes
It’s truly a celebration of Dante, his followers, his illustrators, his influence, his place in history, our love and interest in things Italian, and the diversity of our book collections.
The celebrations have been organised by Andrew Harvey at The Lit & Phil and supported by sponsorship from Helena Biosciences and a grant from The British Italian Society.
