Live Events Preview – October/November
We’re not sure to be delighted or frustrated that there are two radical book fairs happening in Scotland at the same time. Is this evidence that neither end of the M8 activists can co-ordinate with each other – or that we have such a buzz of activity going on that it’s uncontainable? Whatever the answer each month Bella will be previewing the live events, significant meetings and happenings in the weeks ahead across Scotland, So feel free to submit them and if we think they’re interesting we’ll put them in our monthly preview section…this month featuring the Independent Radical Bookfair (Edinburgh), Doc8 (Glasgow) Positively Independent Conference (Glasgow) and Changin Scotland (Ullapool).
The radical book fair will be opened by Ilan Pappe (pictured0 – one of the ‘new historians’ of the Middle East, with a distinctive view of Arab-Israeli relations. Read a Znet interview with him here. He is the author of ‘A History of Modern Palestine: One Land, Two Peoples‘ (2004) and more recently ‘The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine‘ .
He is Professor in the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, the Director of the European Centre for Palestine Studies in Exeter and the Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for Ethno-Political Studies. Ilan Pappe launches the bookfair on Wednesday 27 October 2010 at 7.00pm.
Other great stuff includes…a forum on The Radical Animal: Innovation, Sustainability and Human Nature with Pat Kane (Thursday 28 October 2010 at 6.30pm). We are facing an environmental crisis which demands that we aim at a low-growth, carbon-lite economy, with a supporting lifestyle and values. But how easily will a connected, marketing-drenched, gadget-loving generation be able to get beyond hyper-consumerism? Pat Kane, author of The Play Ethic, will explore these difficulties, and suggest that our playful natures might be one way to balance innovation and sustainability.
The Verdict (Thursday 28 October 2010 at 7.45pm) Guardian social and political commentator Polly Toynbee, and editor of Public and former chief leader writer on the Independent David Walker , launch their new book The Verdict . Do politics effect or reflect changes in public opinion? In this lively and acerbic analysis they investigate the failures and achievements of Labour’s time in office and ask if politics ever really change anything? From the gleeful consumerism of the boom times to the misery of the economic bust they assess the era of Blair and Brown and ask What Have Labour Done?
Film Screening: Given to the People, followed by discussion with the producer, Simon Yuill (Saturday 30 October 2010 at 5.30pm) Given to the People tells the story of the Pollok Free State. The Free State was initiated by the actions of local resident, Colin Macleod, who began a tree-top protest against the building of the M77 motorway through Pollok Park in the early 1990s. Over several years this grew into a series of camps across Pollok. It sought not only to block an unwanted motorway cutting through one of Europe’s largest inner city public commons, land that had been gifted to the people of Glasgow, but also raised issues over the rights of local people to determine the use and development of public space – rights that many felt were being denied.
Other highlights include: Paul Kingsnorth, Alasdair Gray, Simon Pirani, Joan Waldemath, Rachel Hewitt and many more.
Listen to extracts from the classic The Hale and the Hanged from Christie Books site here.
Next up we have CHANGIN’ SCOTLAND A weekend of politics, culture and ideas …. And fun! Friday November 5th-Sunday November 7th at The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. Join Jean Urquhart and Gerry Hassan for the latest weekend of good conversation, challenging ideas, and relaxation.
Speakers include: Bea Campbell, writer, commentator and campaigner: On Men, Ian Jack, The Guardian, author, ‘The Country Formerly Known as Great Britain’ – examines Scottish Culture, Alex Massie, from the Spectator on Scottish Identity, Dreams and the Sad State of Football. Tom Miers, Policy Exchange, author, ‘The Devolution Distraction’ – Why Devolution has Failed Scotland and Eleanor Yuill, writer and filmmaker – Glasgow and the Power of Scottish Miserablism. To book a place call The Ceilidh Place: 01854-612103. Weekend ticket for sessions: £60
The themes include: the economy and employment, social justice and poverty, Sustainable Scotland and the environment, Scotland’s role internationally.
Speakers inlcude: Professor Mike Danson, Pat Kane, Joan McAlpine, John McAllion, Craig Murray, George Kerevan, Kevin Williamson and Mike Small. Chaired by Elaine C. Smith. Contact the SIC here.