20th March 2015
Toronto, Canada
Articles about science and imagination often open with a quotation from a scientist (Einstein, Feynman) or children’s author (Seuss, Silverstein) – perhaps because when dealing with science (encompassing all human knowledge) and imagination (humanity’s boundless creativity), where do you begin? “Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come […]
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14th August 2013
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The following is a guest blog by Steve Townsend, Deputy Head of Mission. It was announced this week that the Bishop of Northampton has started the investigation whether there is a case for canonisation for G K Chesterton. This prompted me to go back to his best-loved creation, and one of my favourite fictional characters, […]
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8th November 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The speaker is a Turkish writer born in France. In addition to Turkey she has lived in many other countries, including the United Kingdom. She reads from her latest novel, The Honour; talks about her writing; then answers questions on subjects ranging from comparisons between Ottoman and modern Turkish literature, through writing techniques, to child-rearing […]
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17th April 2012
Washington DC, USA
Before I continue on my theme of how GREAT Britain is this year, I’d like to give a shout out to the 100 Days to Go event coming up tomorrow at American University. All afternoon we will strive to go ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ than our fellow Embassy (and previous Olympic Host) competitors in the “Embassy […]
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6th February 2012
Washington DC, USA
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… going to the UK this weekend. Flying into Heathrow on Saturday morning, I found Britain in great excitement about Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday. So it was clearly the best of times to head to Broadstairs, Dickens’ favourite holiday destination where he spent his […]
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29th December 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
One of my favourite events in Kyiv is the BBC Book of the Year Award, sponsored by the BBC Ukrainian Service. I’ve presented the winner with the prize for the last four years, including in 2010 and this year — you can see a report on the prize, including details of the shortlist and the […]
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28th October 2011
Nairobi, Kenya
This week sees the fifth year of the Somali Week Festival in London, organised by the Kayd Somali Arts and Culture organisation. The British Office for Somalia is a proud sponsor of this event, which brings together poets, writers and musicians from across Somalia to perform in the UK. This year’s artists and performers include […]
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23rd September 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A guest blog by Martin Dowle, Director, British Council The west Ukrainian city of Lviv is an intriguing location for a literature festival. Breath-taking views of spires and domes, offset with hidden courtyards, make this city on the cusp between East and West a crossroads for cultural exchange. Some 300 events are packed into four […]
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