bmi #150ticketgiveaway
<<<Go straight to the poll>>> So I’m not one for advert blogging, but this is story is worth sharing. bmi are [have been] giving away free flights. Yesterday, on their social media pages, they released clues about certain locations across Belfast and Edinburgh [I think they’re also doing Manchester and London later, too]. In short: … Continue reading
Shelley in Edinburgh
I live in a city built on books. It comes with many glorious perks. But how did I only find out today, exactly 7 years and 3 months after I arrived, that Percy Bysshe Shelly shacked up with an under-age minor [with whom he was eloping], a certain Harriet Westbrooke, in a flat on George … Continue reading
National Portrait Gallery of Scotland
On 1 December, something magical will happen. The Portrait Gallery reopens, to much fanfare I am assured. For the last few years the Gallery has been shut for renovations. While they were much-needed and I can hardly begrudge them the update, I eagerly anticipate its return to my weekend rotation of nerdy outtings.
Sharjah Art Museum & Maraya Art Centre
The first thing almost anyone here will tell you about Sharjah is its immense investment in culture. The city practically oozes with museums, galleries and events. There is a huge concerted effort to celebrate culture and art here. In fact, it’s a major tenant of the Royal family’s work. His highness is a prolific writer. … Continue reading
The Amazing Shobhaa De
The last two days have been amazing – and full of outstanding women. One of them is the excellent Shobhaa De – an Indian writer and broadcaster, and one firecracker of a speaker. She was on the outstanding Women in Fiction panel at #shjibf with Kate Mosse , Oumaima Abdullah al-Khamis (Saudi Arabia) and Dr … Continue reading
Exploring Sharjah
Today I went exploring near my hotel. The city of Sharjah is centred on a large lagoon, so almost everywhere are promenade waterfronts and high rises. Next door to our hotel there is a public park full of palm trees, all in impeccable rows. As I wandered in this garden, hopping from shady spot to … Continue reading
Sharjah Day One: Feasting & Wafa’ Tarnowska
Today I am brimming with ideas. Artistic, political, cultural, social – my mind is racing from such complex stimuli. I’m honestly having trouble keeping up with myself. Once I’ve digested the big thoughts I’ll let you know, but for now, a brief note from last night. First off, there was a brilliant feast at Al … Continue reading
The Salon Project : A Night to Remember
I attended a piece of installation theatre. It was spectatorship and cultural commentary and fancy dress all rolled in one. It was fabulous. Probably best to start with how I found myself here and what happened when I arrived. ~ Dressed, pinned and cinched the other members of Jonquil and I assembled at a very … Continue reading
The Salon Project: Dressing the Set
I attended a piece of installation theater encompassing spectatorship, cultural commentary and camp costume party. It was fabulous. If you like you can start with how I found myself here. ~ When I’d booked my ticket to this fancy-dress-party masquerading as theater-cum-installation I’d been assigned to group Jonquil. The girl on the box office phone … Continue reading
Que Sera Sara? 