Nottingham's annual History Festival returns to the city later this month, featuring musical performances, historical reenactments, a Viking-inspired arts and craft workshop, and gory historical talks by local experts.
The festival, organised by the University of Nottingham, runs from 23rd-28th October. It will feature family-friendly activities and talks by specialists. This year's programme includes:
A Viking Treasure Workshop, where people can learn to make Viking jewellery and coins.
A guided Lace Market tour to explore its global connections during the 19th and 20th centuries and learn about its architectural significance.
An dark histories evening talk at the site of Lenton Priory, Nottingham's largest and richest medieval monastery. The talk will feature live musical illustrations and it will explore the role of night and darkness in medieval monastic life, from the priory's foundation in the twelfth century to its gory end under Henry VIII.
A medieval health and disease walking tour of Nottingham, where visitors will be taken back in time to explore places of health, illness and pollution in the pre-modern urban landscape. What was the standard of health and medicine, and where did people go to seek treatment? And were medieval towns as dirty and disease-ridden as popular myth would have us believe?
A talk and workshop by multi-award-wining poet, Dr Panya Banjoko. 'When Poetry, Politics and Black Women Meet' will explore the legacy of Nottingham women who used poetry as a tool to create cultural awareness and instill confidence in young Black people.
The programme also includes film screenings and discussions, and exclusive tours of upcoming exhibitions, as well as rarely seen special collections.
We have an exciting programme of free events resulting from fantastic collaborations with staff, students and community partners. This is a great opportunity to discover more about diverse aspects of history, meet with specialists and explore hidden histories. We look forward to welcoming you.
The events are all free to attend but booking is required for the talks and walks. The events will take place at locations right across the city and there'll also be a full afternoon of drop-in activities at the university on Wednesday 25th October.
