2-6 September 2016 marks the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. The fire was a major trauma for the city, and a watershed after which the old, wooden, medieval city made way for a more modern city made of stone. The fire started in the early hours of the morning in the royal … Continue reading “The Great Fire of London”
The Irish Republic has organised a whole year of commemorations of the centenary of the Easter Rising, which took place on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916. It was one of the founding events of the Irish Republic, but was and remains an equivocal and divisive rebellion. It is an excellent topic for a Lieux et … Continue reading “The Easter Rising, Dublin 1916”
If there was a prize for the best film title of the year, it would definitely go to Race, the story of Jesse Owens’ victories at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. That single word manages to embody the many facets of a story which encompasses sport, politics and the triumph of the human spirit. The film … Continue reading “Race”
In honour of the Roald Dahl’s centenary, and Steven Spielberg adaptation of Dahl’s book The BFG, London and other British cities is playing host to fifty “Dream Jars” representing the dreams of well-known personalities. In The BFG, the titular Big Friendly Giant collects and mixes dreams, which he blows into children’s bedrooms. Celebrities from Steven … Continue reading “Giant Dreams”
More than 200 countries participated in the Olympic Games in Brazil in August. At the Opening Ceremony, each team marched behind its national flag. But right at the end, just before the host nation, came a team that is unique in Olympic history: a team of 10 refugees from four countries. They marched behind the … Continue reading “An Olympic First: a Refugee Team”
Queen Elizabeth II is now officially Britain’s longest reigning monarch. On 9 September, 2015, she overtook Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years, seven months and two days, from 1837 to 1901. Elizabeth ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952, after the death of her father King George VI. He, as a second son, … Continue reading “Queen Elizabeth II: Longest Reign”