The joy of knowledge and learning will be celebrated in Aberdeen next month with thousands of inquiring minds set to enjoy a diverse programme of events on literature, science, food and drink, music and current affairs.
Aberdeen University’s May Festival aims to reach out to the city with a range of talks, workshops and events in the heart of Old Aberdeen from May 29 to 31.
Star attractions include a talks from adventurer Matt Dickinson, on of only a handful of British climbers to scale Everest’s north summit, and journalist and former Newsnight host Gavid Esler, who will draw on his experiences of interviewing some of the world’s most powerful people.
Patrick Miley, coach and father of Commonwealth gold medal swimmer Hannah Miley, of Inverurie, will also share his insights on taking his daughter to the top of competitive sport.
Literary events will bring authors, including Michel Faber, whose novel The Crimson Petal and White was dramatised for TV, and Booker Prize nominee David Mitchell, the Booker Prize nominee whose novel Cloud Atlas was adapted for the big screen.
A session dedicated to the poetry of the late Iain Banks, hosted by his good friend and novelist Ken Macleod, with Scottish urban myths and legends to be celebrated by storytellers Sheena Blackhall and Grace Bank.
A strong Scottish flavour will run through the festival with the ‘Fiddle at Sea’ talk exploring the importance of music among Scottish sailors, W.B Yeats connections with Scotland also to be brought to life.
The Edinburgh Quartet and PJ Moore of Blue Nile will be among those performing over the weekend.
Major current issues will be unravelled at the festival with a debate on the future of the NHS hosted by BBC health correspondent Eleanor Bradford, expert analysis on Scotland in the wake of the General Election, a discussion on how we can feed an ever-growing population and a look at the future of sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr Ken Skeldon, head of public engagement at the university, said the festival’s strength was in its diversity.
He added: “The May festival is the university’s flagship event to share what the university is doing but also to bring guest speakers to Aberdeen to engage with the community.
“It is an opportunity to really break down the barriers with the community. Almost all the events take place on the King’s College campus in old Aberdeen, and it really a fantastic, vibrant atmosphere.
“People can come along to see a famous face, catch a fantastic science show and then move onto a music concert,”
Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor University of Aberdeen, said: “For 2015, May Festival is about discovery – audiences can discover more about their world, history, science, culture and current issues.
“It is also a chance to discover more about the University and the role it plays in discovery, as well as your own individual potential.”
More than half of the events are free but booking is advisable at
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mayfestival/
or through the Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122.
