Valerian Strikes Back!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > What's On

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the new film by Luc Besson adapted from the science-fiction comic strip series by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières that inspired a whole generation of artists, writers and film-makers… including Georges Lucas. In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) form a team … Continue reading “Valerian Strikes Back!”

Robin Hood Festival

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > Celebrate

Since the Middle Ages, Nottingham’s Sherwood Forest has been associated with Robin Hood, the outlaw who stole from the rich to feed the poor. The city celebrates its most famous son with a Robin Hood Festival in August and a Pageant in October. No one knows whether Robin Hood really existed. If he did, who … Continue reading “Robin Hood Festival”

Big Ben Under Repair

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > In the News

Big Ben symbolises London and is an iconic part of the British capital’s skyline. But from 2017 to 2020, Big Ben will look and sound very different, because it needs major repairs. The tower, clock and Big Ben bell have given more than 150 years faithful service, including continuing to ring the quarter hours and … Continue reading “Big Ben Under Repair”

Classes européennes, the Come-back: Tell Us What You Think!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > Pedagogy

After a short break, the education ministry has announced that classes européennes can once more be offered in collèges. We’d love to have your input about these classes and the topics that work well in them. Do you have five minutes to spare to fill in our online questionnaire? We’d really appreciate it if you … Continue reading “Classes européennes, the Come-back: Tell Us What You Think!”

Guardians of the Tower

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > In the News

For many centuries, the Tower of London has been guarded by ravens. They are never allowed to leave the grounds of the Tower. According to legend: if the ravens leave, the Crown and the Tower will fall. But things are changing… Ravens have been in the Tower since it was built by William the Conqueror … Continue reading “Guardians of the Tower”

Honouring Jane Austen

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > Celebrate

On 18 July, the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, the Bank of England revealed a new £10 bearing the image of one of Britain’s most enduring authors. Austen joins Winston Churchill, who has been honoured on the £5 note since September 2016, and the artist JMW Turner, whose portrait will adorn the £20 note … Continue reading “Honouring Jane Austen”

Remembering Jane Austen

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 18 July 2017 > Celebrate

Two hundred years after her death, Jane Austen remains one of Britain’s best-loved authors. Yet in her short lifetime, she was unknown. Austen was born in 1775 in Hampshire, the seventh of eight children of a vicar. She had a happy childhood and youth in a family that read books aloud to each other and … Continue reading “Remembering Jane Austen”

Jane Austen and Shakespeare Lectures in Paris

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 13 July 2017 > What's On

Go along to lectures on Jane Austen and Shakespeare in Paris, or catch up online. All for free! As part of the Sorbonne’s Summer University course don’t miss two lectures on English literature, in English: 18 July 6-7.30 p.m. “Jane Austen on the Tourist Trail” by English Literature professor Nicola Watson from the Open University. … Continue reading “Jane Austen and Shakespeare Lectures in Paris”

Partitioning India

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 04 July 2017 > What's On

Director Gurinder Chadha has given cinema audiences a glimpse of British Asian experience with films like Bend it Like Beckham or Bhaji on the Beach. Now a series of chance encounters has led her to examine a difficult period in her family history and that of the country of her ancestors: the Partition of India … Continue reading “Partitioning India”