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Arts and Culture University of Exeter

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Exeter awarded UNESCO City of Literature status

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Exeter has been awarded prestigious UNESCO City of Literature status, it has been announced. Exeter is the only new place in the UK to be given the status, joining 65 cities across the world to become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

 This is a four year programme and the next step is to apply to the Arts Council for funding. The prestigious recognition comes from a joint bid from people and organisations across the city – including the University of Exeter, which hosts the archives of works connected to famous writers such as William Golding, Ted Hughes, Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier and Sir John Betjeman.

Sarah Campbell, Associate Director for Arts and Culture at the University of Exeter said: “It is absolutely wonderful that Exeter has been recognised in this way for its rich heritage of culture. The UNESCO City of Literature status celebrates not only the rich variety of cultural and creative activities  that are crafted and cultivated in Exeter, but also the close collaboration between so many people and organisations to ensure Exeter strengthens its flourishing arts and culture reputation not just in the UK, but across the world.”

Exeter’s bid centred around 1,000 years of unbroken history around reading, recognising the Exeter Book at Exeter Cathedral but also about what reading and writing means to residents in Exeter.  The Exeter Book is one of the oldest and best-preserved collections of old English verse in the world, and is older than famous texts such as Beowulf.

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Climate and Culture, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the news - it is a huge honour for Exeter that will unlock exciting new opportunities for everyone in the city to engage in culture.”

This is fantastic news for Exeter,” said City Council Leader Phil Bialyk. ”Once again this is international recognition for the city and its cultural offer,” he added

"Exeter spends more on culture than most other cities in the country. Many of the 66 cities that have become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network across the world are much bigger cities with larger populations, demonstrating that Exeter is once again punching above its weight.”

Dom Jinks, Director of Exeter Culture, said: “This is so positive for Exeter. The bid made much of the city’s wide variety of historical assets. But it is actually much more about culture supporting the well-being of everyone in the city today, including those who may not currently see themselves engaging with culture. The partnership behind the bid in Exeter was very strong, and this success is down to the strength of that partnership.” 

Exeter’s bid also focussed on ‘cultural wellbeing’ - the power that words can have in all types of setting. It also ties in with Exeter’s Sport England Delivery pilot work on improving life for all. The University of Exeter’s Arts and Culture Strategy celebrates the University’s outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Devon and Cornwall. It promotes international cultural relationships and dialogues, through highly-ranked arts research and teaching, practice and performance.

The University’s staff and students create partnerships and engage with the arts community through galleries, museums, theatres and literature festivals.

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    Durational Events

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    19 Sep – 20 Dec 2019, 09:00 – 17:00 From Damascus to Andalucia

    The message from Adib Fattel from Damascus – conveyed to you through his paintings - is a message of love, peace, tolerance and the connections that bring us together. See the exhibition in the Street Gallery, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter until 20 December 2019.

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    2 Nov 2019 – 26 Jan 2020 Unbounded: Contemporary Art Practices in Cornwall

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    8 Nov 2019 – 10 Jan 2020 A Stitched Survey of the Dyer’s Garden

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  • Show

    Fri 20 Dec 2019, 19:30 – 23:00 Last Night of the Christmas Proms

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  • Performance

    21 Dec 2019 – 5 Jan 2020 Hansel and Gretel

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  • Show

    Thu 2 Jan 2020, 19:30 – 23:00 New Year Johann Strauss Gala

    Celebrate the New Year with an uplifting selection of waltzes, marches, polkas and arias by the King of Waltz and his contemporaries. The full symphonic forces of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will be joined by an outstanding soprano to bring you an evening of swirling melodies and carry you away into the glamour and sparkle of Viennese Dance Halls.

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  • Performance

    Wed 15 – Sat 18 Jan 2020, 19:30 – 21:30 The Great Gatsby

    Join Exeter University Theatre Co in a dazzling performance of "The Great Gatsby" Wed 15 - Sat 18 Jan 2020. Taking you back to the roaring twenties, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby throws you into the glamour and scandal of American high-society – subverting the “American Dream” with disastrous consequences.

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  • Performance

    Wed 22 – Sat 25 Jan 2020, 19:30 – 19:30 Ghost the Musical

    Join Exeter University Footlights as they perform a powerful and magical story on Wed 22 - Sat 25 Jan 2020. 

    This production promises to be a thrilling, emotional roller coaster following Long-time couple Sam and Molly who are living happily in New York until a series of spooky and mysterious events come their way. 

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    February

  • Exhibition

    Sun 9 Feb 2020, 14:00 – 17:30 Reframing Vivien Leigh

    A free exhibition tracing Vivien Leigh’s connections to the South West region through an exciting variety of materials from local museums including the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Topsham Museum.

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The Arts and Culture team work across the colleges and campuses of the University of Exeter, and with creative partners around the South West region and beyond. Our mission is to Activate Creativity. Read more

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