Cultural Exchange

Yeah, I've been rather quiet of late, so I'm going to write up a pretty decent sized post about the upcoming "Cultural Exchange" week at DMU, and the things I'm going to see, as well as my explanations for it.

Well, I'll start with Monday, seems appropriate.
On Monday, I only have one thing, and that is Manda Scott, a historical novelist, who is discussing her writing from 5-6pm. I chose this because I have more than a guilty pleasure for history, studying it at both GCSE and A-level, and would've been an alternative course if I were to diverge from my journalist based future.
On a more specific note, I enjoy Egyptian history and Egyptology, which can link somewhat into the Roman settings that feature in some of her books. But I'm still very interested in Roman culture, and I'd be interested in hearing about it, especially if I'm considering an expansion into historical novel writing at some point. It just seems like a really interesting talk, and I'm looking forward to it. It's at Clephan Building, In lecture room 0.01, so you don't even have to take the stairs or lift to get to it, brilliant.

On the Tuesday, I'm a lot more active.
I begin the day at the Postgraduate Creative Writing Showcase (I feel like capitalising each word is necessary), where novel extracts, poetry, and short fiction are going to be read out by, you guessed it, DEMON CREW Postgrad students. As well as the potential of meeting a famous author or poet before they're famous, it'll be good to divulge in conversation with them afterwards, for tips and pointers towards the handling of Creative Writing at an undergraduate and postgraduate stage, as well as writing as a whole. This is between 2-3pm, and in 0.01 again in Clephan. The organisers don't like stairs, do they?

After that, there's an hour break before I'm back in the same lecture theatre for a talk by journalist Matt Carr, on the subject of his historically based book, 'Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain'. I chose this because of the historical base, as well as his journalist career.
This looks like an interesting event, especially with the generally unknown aspect of Spanish history the book contains. Just to clarify, Clephan 0.01 at 4pm, and finishing at 5pm.

Then, I'm treating myself to a talk by the one and only Jasper Carrott. Other than the underlying desire to ask a million Golden Balls questions, it looks really interesting. I wish I could express it better than that, to be honest. Such an experienced comedian coming in to talk for an hour about an hour, what else can you say other than it looks completely fascinating. An hour probably isn't enough, to be honest. I don't even want to go into Comedy as a career or anything. I'd interview comedians and rate their shows as a journalist, maybe do some light stand-up if I was up for it, but other than that, I don't know. It just looks so interesting, and that is why I'm going to see it. It's at Clephan again, but in room 2.13 (Yes, you need to go up the stairs or lift this time.) and it's from 7-8pm.

On the Wednesday, it goes a bit quiet again.
I'm off to see the DMU Vice Chancellor, Dominic Shellard, talking about Dave's Comedy Festival based in Leicester with Geoff Rowe. As noted in the Jasper Carrott section, I really enjoy stand-up comedy, and a discussion about the Comedy culture in Leicester sounds really intriguing. I have not participated in this year's Comedy Festival, unfortunately. But I'm definitely going to in the future, possibly even covering it at some point. Anyways, it's on from 5-6pm, and it's in lecture hall 3.03 at Clephan Building.

Thursday has three events I'm going to.
Firstly, it's the DEMON CREW event, where third year undergraduate students of Creative Writing read from their current work, and will most likely discuss their time at DMU and on the course. I think this is a great way to get to know future writers, and to hear some great stories in the process. I'll certainly be asking a few questions about the course, too. This is on at 11am until 12, and it's in room 2.29 of Clephan Building.

Secondly, I'm going to see Professor Andrew Tolson the broadcasts and debates from the party leaders of during the 2010 UK General Election, and how they addressed the nation and interacted with each other as well as questioners. This seems really interesting, especially with the constantly eventful election this happened in, as well as seeing how PR was handled during it. This looks like it's going to be a must-see for any politically minded individuals, and something I'd definitely recommend going to. It's on at 2-3pm and is in room 3.01 at Clephan building.

For the final event of the day, I'm going to Rohan Silva's talk about being a senior policy adviser to the Prime Minister during the election and thereon. He will also be explaining arts policy in the UK and how culture and arts can influence can teach politicians and policy makers. This is a different take on politics, which often discusses issues such as economics or education or transport etc. This makes it a lot more intriguing, as it's an often unheard aspect of politics, usually overshadowed by health reforms, or what the politician had for breakfast this morning. This event is on at 6-6:45pm, in room 3.03 at Clephan.

Friday, the last day in cultural exchange week, and I'm certainly looking forward to it.
I start off with a discussion by the wonderful Will Buckingham, and his friend Alan Baker, where they discuss and read the work from I Ching, and its modern relevance. Philosophy always seems interesting to me, yet I have not become fully acquainted with it, no matter how much I try.
Anyway, this is on from 2 to 3, and is in room 0.01 at Clephan building.

The tenth, and last, event I'm going to during cultural exchange is the Overheard: Stories to hear aloud launch. Overseen and edited by Entertaining Strangers (Salt Publishing) author Jonathan Taylor, this book is eagerly anticipated, containing loads of stories from around the UK, and looks very promising. If you want to hear it and take part, go to room 2.30 at Clephan at 6pm, and enjoy!

That is all for now, I'll provide updates of my cultural adventure throughout next week, goodbye for now!