Management and consultancy firm WSP has been in touch to advertise the role of Proposals Coordinator at their Leeds office. Continue reading “job opportunity: proposals coordinator, wsp leeds”
student opportunity: trip to krakow, poland
The Theology and Religious Studies team are organising a three night trip to Krakow, Poland in November 2017 and there are some limited spaces for literature students on a first come first served basis. Continue reading “student opportunity: trip to krakow, poland”
student opportunity: light night leeds
An invitation for YSJU students to volunteer for Light Night Leeds, 5th – 6th October.
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photo gallery: literature and creative writing celebration evening
The Literature and Creative Writing teams wish their graduating students of 2017 all the very best for the future!
On 26th May, the Literature and Creative Writing programmes hosted a celebration evening for their graduating students.
The evening featured speeches by Subject Directors Abi Curtis (Creative Writing) and Anne-Marie Evans (Literature), YSJU alumna and editor of Aesthetica magazine Cherie Frederico, and award-winning students from the class of 2017.
For a full gallery of images follow the ‘continue reading’ link below:
Continue reading “photo gallery: literature and creative writing celebration evening”
The YSJU Big Summer Read: The Testament of Mary, by Colm Tóibín
By Charlotte Stevenson
This summer, the York St John Literature programme is inviting students and staff to read Colm Tóibín’s 2012 novella The Testament of Mary, a study of the mother of Jesus of Nazareth as she comes to terms with her son’s crucifixion at hands of the Roman Empire.
Continue reading “The YSJU Big Summer Read: The Testament of Mary, by Colm Tóibín”
Everything is Possible / Constance and Eva: An Interview with Kimberly Campanello
By Bethany Davies
Kimberly Campanello is Lecturer in Creative Writing at York St John University, where she is currently developing a play called Constance and Eva. The play tells the stories of Constance Markiewicz and Eva Gore-Booth, two Anglo-Irish sisters who were active in the campaign for women’s suffrage. Constance and Eva, directed by Luke Davies, will be staged between 17th and 27th September at the Bread and Roses Theatre, London (tickets here). Bethany Davies, whose review of the recent York Theatre Royal production Everything is Possible is available here, caught up with Kimberly to discuss the project and examine the contemporary importance of the suffragettes.
Continue reading “Everything is Possible / Constance and Eva: An Interview with Kimberly Campanello”
Everything is Possible: An Interview with Lydia Crosland
By Nicoletta Peddis
Lydia Crosland was part of the cast of Everything is Possible, the story of York Suffragettes (review here). She also happens to be a student at York St. John University, where she studies English Literature and History. She has been a part of West Yorkshire Playhouse’s Youth Theatre since its inauguration and she is currently working as an assistant for York Thetare Royal’s Youth Theatre. Lydia’s next project is Amphibious for the Takeover Festival 2017, which will take place at the Theatre Royal between 23rd and 28th October. I met her to ask her some questions about her experience in the community project but also about her opinions on some of the issues portrayed in the show.
Continue reading “Everything is Possible: An Interview with Lydia Crosland”
Review: Everything is Possible at York Theatre Royal
By Bethany Davies and Nicoletta Peddis
Everything is Possible, the story of York Suffragettes, took place at Theatre Royal from the 20th of June until the 1st of July. Directed by Julie Foster and Katie Posner and written by Bridget Foreman, it celebrates the successes and commemorates the suffering of the suffragettes in York between 1912 and 1918. The play rotates around the central character of Annie Seymour Pearson (Barbara Marten), York’s only suffragette ever to be arrested. Apart from Marten, the only professional actor in the cast, Pilot Theatre realized a large-scaled community project involving 150 people.
Continue reading “Review: Everything is Possible at York Theatre Royal”
Being in the QT Audience
By Zoe Buckton
I’ve been angry about this election ever since it U-turned its way into the public’s mind. Since Trump’s election, I’ve been very politically engaged. Whilst politics is a pretty negative space at the moment, the countless injustices have served one benefit: motivating the public to fight back.
Review: Julius Caesar at the RSC 2017
By George Alexander Moss
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest take on Julius Caesar is a pulse-pounding production that bloodily blurs the line between good and evil.
York International Shakespeare Festival: Coriolanus
By Rachel Atkin
York International Shakespeare Festival works to bring worldwide celebrations of Shakespeare and his plays into one city, where England’s most recognisable writer can be experienced through a diversity of cultures.
On Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th, I had the
pleasure of being invited to see an Iranian production of Coriolanus, performed by the Titus Company from the University of Tehran. Though the company themselves were absent, due to the British Embassy’s decision to not provide visas, we were provided with a recorded version of an alienating, experimental, and yet hugely emotive piece of theatre.
Continue reading “York International Shakespeare Festival: Coriolanus”
Review: Station Eleven, by Emily St John Mandel
Review by Tilly Martin
Setting her story in the decaying environment of a post-apocalyptic earth, Emily St John Mandel details the journey of several characters, all somehow intertwined, who are trying to make it in this new world. One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is that, unlike the custom in books of this genre, most aspects of the story are very realistic. There are no zombies and no individuals with semi-magical powers to save the day; every character is a hero in their own way, surviving on their own.
Continue reading “Review: Station Eleven, by Emily St John Mandel”
Review: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
Review by Joseph Wright
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a modern English masterpiece. Published in 2004 
and set in nineteenth-century England, the novel tells an inverted version of history where magic exists and magicians are very real.
Continue reading “Review: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke”
‘In Search of Our Mother’s Kitchens’ : Culinary Cultures at YSJ
By Jess Osborne
Anyone in York St John’s Quad South Hall on the 5th May (and possibly a few days after) will have noticed the soulful smell of fresh, exotically spiced food lingering in the curtains of the chapel: a perfect metaphor for the cultural synergy explored in the Culinary Cultures event held by Dr Sarah Lawson Welsh. The event was filled to the brim with excellent speakers whose papers and presentations all seemed to complement each other and help attendees develop a well-rounded understanding of food in literature, advertising, feminism, as well as every other facet of life. It did seem towards the end of the event that food permeated every aspect of existence, of course it would be hard not to think that when discussing the problematic masculinity of barbeque culture over the loveliest fried plantains I have ever eaten.
The day began with an eye-opening look at barbeque culture in America, focusing mostly on the one word that will pop up multiple times in this post as it did throughout the event: authenticity. You may have seen signs on restaurants claiming to deliver true flavours of their cuisine’s country of origin, or even claiming that they have the most authentic ingredients, we have all definitely been to an Italian restaurant that makes use of their mother’s/grandmother’s/any matriarch’s recipes from back home. But as the day progressed those of us in attendance began to unpack the problematic nature of these claims, making many of us simultaneously want a barbeque and not want a barbeque!
Thankfully after all this talk of food, we actually got to eat some! Food educator Sharmini Thomas cooked up a feast of wonderfully spiced foods for us to sample over lunch, whilst patiently answering any question thrown her way. Throughout the cook-up Sharmini chatted about spices and where they come from, the origins of certain dishes, as well as some interesting Indo-Caribbean history we definitely weren’t taught in school. But most interestingly, whilst chatting, we touched back on the idea of authenticity. When someone asked about whether or not coconut should be added to rice and peas Sharmini silenced us all by reminding us those cooking would cook with what was available, if there was coconut growing nearby, it would go in, but if not the recipe would go without. This begs the question: can the authenticity of these recipes really be replicated? And even should recipes made for survival be appropriated and lay any claim to authenticity in the face of luxury?
The answer is: yes probably. It’s unfortunate, but true, that some post-colonial cultures are in danger of dying. After lunch we explored the food of Palestine. Although the promotion of Palestinian agriculture through fair-trade as a means of raising awareness was fascinating, I found myself drawn to the discussion about Joudie Kalla’s cookbook Memories From my Mother’s Kitchen as a means of preserving Palestinian culture. As a literature student I find myself looking for importance in books, primarily in fiction, but cookbooks offer an insight into life just as deep as those in fiction, and they should definitely be allowed more close readings. Food, after all, is the point that our lives revolve around, so why should books dedicated to it not have an important place in our society?
Whilst discussing recipes and cookbooks, during in one of the many coffee breaks, I noticed quite a few attendees were speaking about family recipes that have somehow never found their way onto paper and as a result are cause for argument at family gatherings. Spookily, this was perfectly mirrored in the final discussions on the nostalgia of food, and maternal inheritance in the culture of family recipes. And it is there, with everyone fondly remembering their mothers and grandmother’s kitchens, that one of the best events I have attended at YSJ came to a close. Full of food for both body and mind, we all went home remembering the lingering smells of the spices.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Sarah Lawson Welsh for organising one of the most academically fulfilling events I have attended throughout my degree. Those wanting to attend any more of these food related events should drop Sarah an email to get on the mailing list, it will definitely be worth it.
Bradford Literature Festival Volunteer Opportunities
An invitation for YSJU students to volunteer for the Bradford Literature Festival, 30th June – 9th July.
The Festival writes:
Bradford Literature Festival offers a programme of events like no other, creating exceptional discussions and debates and inviting audiences to engage directly with world renowned authors and speakers to share thoughts and opinions. Our Festival wouldn’t be possible without a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. From the 30th June – 9th July, over 100 volunteers will help us run and deliver our festival. Whether you have a passion for literature and the arts, are looking to gain real working experience, or you’re simply an outgoing person looking for a fun way to spend your spare time, we want to hear from you!
The roles we have available include:
Venue Assistants
You would be an essential part of the Bradford Literature Festival. The role will involve assisting the Venue Manager in all aspects of event co-ordination including greeting the audience, taking tickets, assisting with seating and audience requirements as well as a whole host of other tasks.
Festival Runners
Reporting directly to the core team, Festival Runners are the problem solvers and key support network of the Bradford Literature Festival, so therefore vital for the Festival! This role is varied and can involve anything and everything from standing in for other volunteers and setting up events to transporting equipment and even escorting festival guests.
Guest Assistants
Stationed at one of our partner hotels, Guest Assistants will manage a dedicated guest liaison desk, assisting guest authors, speakers and artists. You would help guests check in and provide any information about the festival or Bradford itself. You would need to know Bradford excellently and a passion for literature is a must, you never know which esteemed guest you might meet!
If you are over the age of 16 and can make our training meeting on the 16th June at Bradford University, we would love to hear from you!
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our website www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/volunteers