The Muriel Spark Society Annual Birthday Lunch 2019

To mark Muriel Spark's 101st Birthday, the Society will once again be holding a celebratory lunch. This time we will meet on Sunday 27 January 12.30pm at the Bruntsfield Hotel in Edinburgh. There will be fizz on arrival, followed by a three course lunch with wine. Afterwards, we will hold our quiz, this time on the novel, Territorial Rights. We will also be having a Raffle for the first time.
Some spaces remain and the event is open to non-members, so do think about joining us.
Contact our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham: lornastatham@btinternet.com.

Books that made Deborah Levy

The playwright, novelist and poet on the cleverness of Muriel Spark, how Marguerite Duras influenced her and why Zora Neale Hurston is underrated.



The book I wish I’d writtenThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Muriel Spark was so clever to encourage readers to admire Jean Brodie, and then have us discover we were admiring a fascist. It’s a skilful flip in empathy that Spark makes look easy.



Read the full article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/14/deborah-levy-books-that-made-me?CMP=share_btn_link

Ian Rankin: By the Book, Brodie and Dr Who ...

Ian Rankin chooses his favourite book of all time in the New York Times ...

 

What’s your favorite book of all time?

That’s such a tough question and the answer would change from day to day. Maybe Muriel Spark’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” If I describe it as an absolute Tardis of a book, “Dr. Who” fans may understand. It is bigger on the inside than the outside.

Theroux takes tea with Muriel Spark ...

No this is not weird weekends with his son Louis! Here Theroux pere takes tea with Spark. The hardback is out and a paperback is planned next year. Another idea for an event? Should be a fascinating encounter.

Muriel Spark, Existentialism and the Art of Death

Here's a snappy title coming your way from Edinburgh University Press in 2019! I will get in touch with Cairns Craig and see if he will talk to the Society on this. Absolutely intriguing ...

Nicola Sturgeon celebrates Muriel Spark

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launches the distribution of Muriel Spark's novels to Scottish public libraries yesterday. Announcing the free book scheme during a visit to Loanhead public library in Midlothian, Ms Sturgeon said: “Muriel Spark is one of Scotland’s greatest authors and it is fitting that we celebrate the centenary of her birth with this donation to libraries. “I’ve been an avid reader of her books since I was young and I’m very pleased that many more people will now be able to enjoy her work. For me, reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures.”

Read more at: https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/every-library-in-scotland-given-complete-collection-of-muriel-spark-novels/

The statue

Muriel Spark across Scotland

Today First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the distribution of complete sets of Muriel Spark novels to all public libraries in Scotland - all 491 of them! Additionally, every secondary school in Edinburgh will receive a set. This extremely generous initiative has been funded by the Scottish Government and Postcode Lottery. What a way to celebrate the end of the centenary! Happy reading to all!

Muriel Spark and Africa

Below is a link to an article by Professor Willy Maley on Spark and Africa:

http://scottishbooktrust.com/blog/reading/2018/11/long-read-muriel-spark-and-africa?fbclid=IwAR0fpw_g49so_gFQa6zNR-8Ej90Hs-TR1i3-Y17bu0HXQrz-9irj-JJcrPY

The Edinburgh of Miss Jean Brodie

Gail Wylie will be speaking on Jean Brodie's Edinburgh in Broughton History Society's lecture series. The event takes place on Monday November 5, 7 for 7.30pm. The location is Drummond Community High School, and visitors pay £2 entrance.

Saltire Literary Awards 2018

Congratulations are due to our former Chairman Alan Taylor as his memoir of Muriel Spark, Appointment in Arezzo, is shortlisted for this year's Saltire Literary Awards. The winners will be announced at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on November 30. Good luck Alan!

Head to Peckham Rye ...

Muriel Spark and Peckham

2.30pm-4.30pm Sunday 4 November Start: Peckham Rye Station, London SE15 5DQ

http://www.museumofwalking.org.uk/events/muriel-spark-and-peckham/

Tickets are £15 in advance (early bird £3 cash back if booked by 28/10/18 ) £20 on the day

Book both events at the same time for £20 (available until 28/10/18)

Launching Between the Lines: part discovery of engaging writing, part discovery of place, and part discovery of the writers. Call it a 'Book Club on foot' if you like, in which we invite you to read a book and join us to walk "Between the Lines". It is 100 years since the birth of Dame Muriel Spark, acclaimed Scottish author, poet, literary critic and biographer - knighted for her contribution to British literature. The adaption for theatre and film of her novel “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” brought her considerable celebrity. This one novel caused several of her other works to be overshadowed, and yet critics have claimed that other novels are as powerful, even, of better quality.  One such is “The Ballad of Peckham Rye” written before The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, set in Peckham, south east London, it is a sharp observation of the social mores and working practices of the 1950s, as we follow ‘normal people’ going about their lives. 1950s Peckham leaps from the pages. Many of the locations in the novel still persist, others didn’t survive war or reconstruction, others are pure fantasy - our route will encompass many of these. 

 

Then in December, we are off to South Kensington - as Muriel Spark wrote a book called "A Far cry from Kensington" - it is less location specific than the Peckham novel but nevertheless paints a picture of 1950s London:

Muriel Spark and Kensington

10.30am-12.30pm

http://www.museumofwalking.org.uk/events/muriel-spark-and-kensington/

Tickets are £15 in advance (early bird £3 cash back if booked by 16/11/18 ) £20 on the day

Book both events at the same time for £20 (available until 28/10/18)

Looking forward to hearing from you

Lyon & Turnbull - Grazie Tanto!

It's a pleasure to thank Lyon & Turnbull for their generosity to The Muriel Spark Society this centenary year. They hosted Addressing Spark in June, supported the Spark Day at the Bookmark Festival, and have kindly invited members to the Elements private view this evening. Particular thanks to Deborah Bennett and Mary Michel.

Muriel Spark Centenary Concert

Society members were among a packed house for the Muriel Spark Centenary Concert in

London’s Southbank Centre on October 13. It featured the world premiere of “White Flame,”

a song cycle composed by David Matthews and commissioned by Penelope Jardine, which

set five of Muriel Spark’s poems to music. The poems were all written between 1948 and

1949, eight years before Spark’s first novel was published. The first two, The Victoria Falls,

and Like Africa, sprang from her experience of living in Africa during World War II. The

other three were free translations of the Roman poets Horace and Catullus. The song cycle

was beautifully performance by mezzo-soprano Victoria Simmonds, accompanied by The

Nash Ensemble, and was dedicated to Penelope Jardine who was present. In her programme

introduction, Ms Jardine wrote of the composer: “By strange coincidence, many years ago,

David came to Tuscany from Rome one foggy and freezing November night. He camped

there with a few friends in the ruined rectory I had just bought (no heat, no light, no water, no

windows, no doors). This house was to become Muriel Spark’s last home. I am so glad that

David survived his ordeal to become the extremely elegant composer he is today.”
Olga Wojtas

Spark in poetry: book launch this Saturday

The SPL hosts the launch of Spark, a new poetry anthology, edited by Rob A. Mackenzie and Louise Peterkin. Forty-four contemporary poets – including Sean O’Brien, Vahni Capildeo, Tim Turnbull, Tishani Doshi, Richard Price and Sasha Dugdale – contribute poems inspired by the novels of Muriel Spark, and a selection of them will read at the launch along with the editors.
The event is free and will be held at the Scottish Poetry Library on Saturday 13th October at 2.30pm.
Please book your place through the SPL website.

Congratulations Bookmark Festival!

The Muriel Spark Day at the Bookmark Festival in Blairgowrie was a triumph yesterday. The day began with an affectionate look back at Muriel from her friend Alan Taylor. Their friendship was full of incident and humour, uniquely portrayed . Rosemary Goring then spoke of the fiendishly difficult task of abridging Spark's novel A Far Cry from Kensington for radio. Spark was one of the most economical and concise of writers, with no word wasted, so a tall order. The actor who delivered the radio abridgement was superb, and all went well in the end.
Afterwards novelist Olga Wojtas (a Gillespie's Girl and Committee Member of The Muriel Spark Society) then read from her hilarious book, Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar. She had the hall in peals of laughter. The novel includes incidents involving a time-travelling Marcia Blaine in Morningside Library, hidden copies of Jean Brodie, and Morningside Waitrose ...
After a tasty lunch, inaugural Edinburgh Makar Stewart Conn and actor Gerda Stevenson gave a lecture/presentation on Spark's poetry, beautifully read by Stevenson: a thoughtful end to a very diverse and successful day. Congratulations to all involved in organising it.
There was a tantalising heads up from Gail Wylie too: Spark admirer (and Society annual lecturer in 2017) is heading to Blairgowrie next year - Ali Smith.

Muriel Spark Day at Bookmark Festival

Bookmark Festival in Blairgowrie celebrates 100 years of Muriel Spark tomorrow. Alan Taylor speaks of his memoir Appointment in Arezzo. Rosemary Goring will be in conversation about Spark afterwards. After lunch poet Stewart Conn and Gerda Stevenson will present an event on Spark’s poetry: Mistress of Unease. All willl be beautifully organised by our former Chairman, Gail Wylie.

Janice Galloway - there's something about Muriel ...

Muriel Spark is one of the most extraordinary writers of the 20th Century, and 2018 marks the centenary of her birth. Prolific, needle-bright and sharp as a tack, her novels shine as brightly today as they ever did. Janice Galloway talks about the work, wit and no-nonsense style of one of Scotland’s most original writers, in an event suitable for both fans of Muriel Spark and for those unfamiliar with her work alike.

29 September 8.30pm

Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine.

£8

 

The Public Image (Scottish Lady Tiger)

The Public Image (Scottish Lady Tiger)
—A response to the life of Muriel Spark by Michael Curran

Video and performance artist Michael Curran has created an environment in which a series of actions and performances inspired by the life and work of Muriel Spark can take place. Generator Projects acts as a laboratory, a press office, a casting room, and a film set for Curran and his collaborators to dissect the author’s fascination with appearances and ‘what lies beneath’.

Curran will inhabit the space for the full duration of the show's run—reading aloud from Spark's twenty-two novels, drawing on the walls, playing records, sitting in contemplation soaking his feet, and shredding books to make paper amongst an assortment of objects, videos, and situations which reference Spark's oeuvre and life. The exhibition will act accumulatively, as new elements are introduced or taken away, with the final result an accretion of Curran's time occupying the space.

This exhibition aims to explore some of the ambiguities concerning Spark—the exile, the émigré, and the enigma. As part of the project, Generator is producing an LP The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark with sound artists Viralux aka Trish Lyons & Gordon Dawson,[BOX] (Neil McIntee), UrbanFarmHand (Ben Seal), Somerset Moan (Emil Thompson), Ana Cavic, AD Crawforth, and New Root Canal (Rufus Mich), chosen by Michael Curran and the show’s curator Hari MacMillan. This will be manufactured during the show and released at the finishing party along with performances by the artists on the LP.

All of Spark's novels are available in the space and visitors are encouraged to read from them either silently or out loud. The author considered herself as a poet first and foremost—seeing her novels as long form poetry. Curran has commissioned artistsRebecca Sharp and Valerie Sutton to create a scent named POETA, evoking Spark's luminous aura. Rebecca will introduce the perfume at the closing party on Sunday the 30^th of September at 2pm.

The show will conclude with Curran’s performative lecture Scottish Lady Tiger followed by a performance by some of the artists featured on The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark LP during a closing event that invites local artists, performers, and project participants to join together in celebration of Muriel Spark's Centenary.

Generator is open Thurs – Sun 12-5pm or by appointment

 

generatorprojects.co.uk

scottishladytiger.com

scottishladytiger@gmail.com

Crimes and Misdemeanours of Muriel Spark

The Crimes and Misdemeanours of Muriel Spark – Louise Welsh, Zoe Strachan and Alan Taylor at Bloody Scotland

September 23 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

£8 – £9

Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling

www.bloodyscotland.com

 

New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women

Dame Muriel, and her inspiring teacher Christina Kay, are both included in the New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women, to be published by Edinburgh University Press next month. The new edition is published to mark the centenary of women's suffrage, and since Muriel had a suffragette in her family history, we hope she would have been pleased. It would be timely to reread her short story on the movement, Harper and Wilton.

Bluebell Among the Sables

Dame Muriel's poem celebrating her beloved cat Bluebell is included in a handsome new anthology published by Serpent's Tail.

Muriel Spark: child writer, childhood writer, children's writer - Willy Maley

Here is a link to an article by Spark Society member, Professor Willy Maley:

http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/blog/reading/2018/08/muriel-spark-childhood-writer

Spark: poetry and art inspired by the novels of Muriel Spark

Rob A. Mackenzie writes:

I have co-edited (with Louise Peterkin) a poetry anthology containing two poems inspired by each of Muriel Spark's twenty-two novels, and also a few works of Spark-inspired art. It features forty-four of the most interesting and acclaimed poets around today, mainly from the UK, with a special emphasis on Scotland, but also a few from further afield e.g. Sean O'Brien, Vahni Capildeo, Sasha Dugdale, Tishani Doshi, W.N.Herbert, Robert Alan Jamieson etc - everything from T.S. Eliot Prize winners to some of the best of today's 'emerging' poets. And it comes with an introduction by the novelist and short story writer, Olga Wojtas.

The book, which will be called 'Spark' with a subtitle 'Poetry and Art Inspired by the Novels of Muriel Spark', will be published on 15 October 2018 by Blue Diode Press and will cost £10. It will be this new Scottish publisher's first publication. I'm sure it would be of interest to many in the Muriel Spark Society.

The launch will be on Saturday 13 October, 2.30-4pm, at the Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DT. It's a free event, although we hope people will buy the book! I would be grateful if you could pass on these details to anyone you think might be interested.

I am here, in case you are wondering who I am! - http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poets/rob-mackenzie . And this is Louise, my co-editor - http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/writing/scottish-book-trust-training-awards/new-writers-awards/2016-awardees/louise-peterkin
All the best,

Rob A. Mackenzie

Nevertheless: Sparkian tales in Bulawayo

Author Shane Strachan writes:
I will be launching my short fiction collection Nevertheless: Sparkian Tales in Bulawayo (Zimbabwe: amaBooks) in the Suttie Arts Space at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The collection has been funded by Creative Scotland in celebration of Muriel Spark's centenary in 2018. The launch will coincide with Buladeen, an exhibition of new work by Bulawayo-based artist collective BUKA who I previously worked with on an arts-in-health project in Zimbabwe. Non-ticketed; all welcome

Memento Muriel

Poet Theresa Munoz explores the use of archives in poetry at the Scottish Poetry Library on 6 October 2018. She has been exploring fan letters to Muriel in the Spark Archive in the National Library of Scotland, and is writing a poetry sequence on them entitled, Why We Love You.

Danz on Muriel Spark ...

Performer and composer Jessica Danz is creating a new work for violin and string quartet inspired by a selection of Muriel Spark’s poetry, which will be performed at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh on the 14 November 2018.  Jessica will appear as a solo violinist alongside the Brodick Quartet, an ensemble comprised of four of Scotland’s most outstanding young string players.
For more information: https://www.jessicadanz.com/  @jessicadanzmusic
@Jessica_Danz

BookMark Festival celebrates 100 years of Muriel Spark

The BookMark Festival in Blairgowrie celebrates Dame Muriel’s centenary with a full day of events on Sunday 7 October. Participants include Alan Taylor, Rosemary Goring and Gerda Stevenson. Our former Chair Gail Wylie and Committee member Olga Wojtas will help steer the day.
£15 for a day pass. Tickets available from Horsecross: www.horsecross.co.uk.

Appointment in Wigtown...

Alan Taylor will discuss his memoir of Spark, Appointment in Arezzo, at the Wigtown Book Festival on Friday 21 September at 15.30.
£7

Muriel Spark’s Women at Wigtown Book Festival

A event on Spark’s women will take place at Wigtown on Sunday 23 September at 4.30pm.
On the panel is our former Chair, Gail Wylie.
£7
www.wigtownbookfestival.com

Nicola Sturgeon: a life in books

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will discuss her love of books at the Wigtown Book Festival next month. Going on the evidence of her recent interest in all things Sparkian, there is an excellent possibility that Muriel Spark will figure large. Ms Sturgeon will appear on the first day.

Review of EIBF EVENT from The Scotsman

Earlier on, in the Charlotte Square Sparkathon, we had been tackling the Big One: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Teasing out the reasons for its enduring appeal, Candia ­McWilliam was joined by joined by writer and editor Alan Taylor and chairwoman Gail Wylie, the last two both former chairs of the Muriel Spark Society and therefore, for these purposes, very much la crème de la crème.

Shane Strachan on Muriel Spark

Writer Shane Strachan (Creative Scotland Spark 100 Writer) will be reading from a colllection of short stories commissioned  to celebrate Spark’s links with Aberdeen’s twin city, Bulawayo.


The Barn Salon, Banchory
Tuesday 28 August 7.30pm
£5 (£3)
www.thebarnarts.co uk

01330 825431

Muriel Spark at EIBF

There has been a feast of Spark at the Book Festival this centenary year, and five more events are planned from today until Friday. Of particular note is Ali Smith reprising her brilliant Spark and Time, first presented last November as the Muriel Spark Society Lecture. This lecture was recently published by Polygon. Visit the Book Festival site for more details.

Doctors of Philosophy at Edinburgh International Book Festival

The rehearsed reading of Muriel Spark’s play was a triumph last night, with particular praise for Maureen Beattie and Elaine C Smith. The full Spiegeltent resounded with laughter as the mordant satire progressed. I was delighted to see our Patron Penelope Jardine in attendance, as well as the First Minister! Let’s hope we are able to see a fully staged version at the Lyceum in the near future.

Welcome Olga Wojtas!

We are delighted to welcome novelist Olga Wojtas to the Committee of the Muriel Spark Society. Her recent novel, Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Golden Samovar, has a former pupil of Marcia Blaine as the main character. Olga is herself a former Gillespie’s girl. Very much looking forward to working with her.
Eric Dickson, Chairman

Spark at Glasgow Women’s Library

Narrative Experiments 25 August 2pm Free, but please book

An event looking at Muriel Spark and her contempories.

0141 550 2267

info@womenslibrary.org.uk

Dear Society Members and Muriel Spark readers,
This is just a very quick note to introduce myself as Chairman and to let you know that our new Committee will convene for the first time this Wednesday. We will be discussing our plans for the year ahead, as the Centenary celebrations continue. Watch this space for news of approaching events!
Eric

Farewell and welcome

After three years of being Chair, which followed an earlier eight years in the post, I decided it was time to go.  It’s been a real privilege to be part of this Society which not only takes its role of keeping the name of Spark well and truly remembered, but takes much enjoyment in doing so.  So many friendships have been formed, both personal and with other organisations including the National Theatre of Scotland and the National Library of Scotland.  Members have laid a lasting memorial in Makar’s Court, have helped to ensure the publication of all the novels, have visited Muriel’s home in Italy and met great authors, including Margaret Atwood at a special event.

Eric Dickson, an absolute stalwart Secretary, takes on the role of Chair.  There was no contest; Eric is an authority on Muriel Spark and his enthusiasm will drive the Society on. Hugh Statham takes on the role of Secretary, most ably assisted by Lorna who is the Membership Secretary.  Christine Selkirk, our terrific Treasurer, hands over to Clive Preston, whose knowledge of wine we hope leads us into new pastures - or should that be vineyards...

Whatever the future brings I know that the spirit of Muriel Spark will be behind all that happens. Alan Taylor describes the Society as ‘small but perfectly formed’ - may it continue to grow and bring much pleasure to the lives of all Muriel Spark admirers.

Gail Wylie

Exclusive event on June 19 for members and guests

‘Doctors of Philosophy’ at Edinburgh Book Festival

Look out for this special event on the 19 August.  A rehearsed reading of Muriel Spark’s only stage play will be performed in the Spiegeltent at the Edinburgh Book Festival in Charlotte Square Gardens. It will be directed by Marilyn Imrie

More Centenary news

Edinburgh City Council are commemorating the centenary in two ways:


The Muriel Spark walk on Bruntsfield Links marks the daily route taken by Muriel as a schoolgirl from her home in Bruntsfield Place to her school, James Gillespie’s.
The unveiling of this will take place on Friday 8 June at 6 pm.

A plaque will be added to the Vennel, the stairs which link the Grassmarket to Lauriston Place, and which will now be known as ‘The Miss Jean Brodie Steps’.  Jean Brodie took her girls on this walk in the memorable scene in the novel ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ - recreated with Maggie Smith in the film.

Thanks to all involved in making both of these happen.

Virago Modern Classics reissue ‘Momento Mori’

 Eric Dickson, Secretary of the Muriel Spark Society, celebrates this reissue:

Remember you must die! (or live on as a modern classic)

Virago are celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of their modern classics with a reissue of 13 new editions, including Mememto Mori by Muriel Spark. The book has been a classic since 1959,  and Virago has respected its status. The publisher has commissioned new covers from designer Yehrin Tong, and the Spark cover has the obligatory telephone, but with striking, reflective silver inlay, and a very Hitchcockian background. The Librarian in me loves the french flaps, non-acidic paper stock and crystal clear Goudy typesetting. As the 60^th anniversary of the novel nears, this is a fitting birthday gift.

Centenary Concert for Muriel Spark, London

On the 13th of October in the Purcell Room in London's Southbank Centre, there will be a Centenary Concert for Muriel Spark.
This concert will include some favourite pieces of Dame Muriel's and new work which celebrates her poetry.  Penelope Jardine would be delighted to see members of the Society at this event!
For further details visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk

'Addressing Spark'

On the evening of Tuesday June 19th the Society will be hosting its major Centenary event:
'Addressing Spark'.   Lyon & Turnbull, Broughton Place, Edinburgh are kindly hosting this talk, reception and small exhibition all related to how Spark painted portraits in words to create her characters.  Gail Wylie will be giving a short talk, and will be joined in conversation with Alexander Moffat, OBE, RSA to discuss painting his iconic portrait of Dame Muriel.
(This evening is invitation only.  Invitations will be sent in May to all members, and guests, of the Society.)

Our Study Week in Italy 2018

Two Dames

I was struck recently by certain similarities between Muriel Spark and Daphne du Maurier.  They may have very different narrative styles but they also have a surprising amount in common.  I wrote the following short piece, sent it to the Daphne du Maurier Society, and am delighted with their response.

The piece, titled 'Two Dames' now appears on the Daphne du Maurier website.
Click HERE for details

Gail Wylie

Willy Maley 'Spark in Love'

Another excellent article from our member Professor Willy Maley:

http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/blog/reading/2018/02/muriel-spark-on-love

The Guardian view on Muriel Spark

An excellent editorial from The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/01/the-guardian-view-on-muriel-spark-gauzy-wit-and-philosophical-depth?CMP=share_btn_link

Pitlochry Winter Words

Alan Taylor, Rosemary Goring, Zoe Strachan and Louise Welch will all be discussing Muriel Spark in two different events at Pitlochry Theatre next week and next weekend.

Memento Mori is The Guardian's Reading Group choice

Join in the discussion! 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2018/feb/06/reading-group-memento-mori-by-muriel-spark-is-februarys-choice?CMP=share_btn_link

Modern Scottish Literary Manuscripts conference

This will be an excellent day in the company of a variety of  Spark experts and enthusiasts.  (In the lunch break take a short walk to the Writers' Museum to see their Spark exhibition too and the memorial stone laid outside.)

  

The Association for Manuscripts and Archives in Research Collections (AMARC; https://amarcsite.wordpress.com/) is organising a one-day meeting on Modern Scottish Literary Manuscripts at the National Library of Scotland on Thursday 19th April 2018.  In addition to various other talks, Dr Colin McIlroy of the NLS will be speaking on the subject of the Muriel Spark archive and will lead a guided tour of the Muriel Spark exhibition.  The registration fee includes morning and afternoon tea and coffee, as well as lunch.  The event is open to non-members (though anyone can join AMARC and we would be delighted to welcome new members).

Our next event 'Addressing Spark'

The Muriel Spark Society's main event of the year is our reception, talk and small exhibition on June 19th, generously hosted by Lyon and Turnbull, Broughton Place, Edinburgh.

The talk and exhibition will consider how important dress and appearance are to Spark's characters.

Invitations to this evening event will be sent only to members of the Society and guests of Lyon and Turnbull.

Centenary Week

A packed week of centenary celebrations should have left nobody in any doubt that Muriel Spark was important.  The Usher Hall event, the BBC 2 Scotland documentary and the Symposium at Glasgow University brought the life and work of Dame Muriel to a wide range of readers.  The diverse range of papers at the Symposium brought so much to light, particularly the talks by Mark Curran, Robert Hosmer, Catriona Macdonald and Helen Stoddard.  Ali Smith enchanted her audience with her discussion with Zoe Strachan.  (Ali's 'Desert Island' book is 'Loitering with Intent')

The Society will bring this week to an end with our annual Birthday Lunch on Sunday 4 February to which we'll be welcoming existing and new members and our guests.  Happy 100th!

Spark Memorial - Letter in The Times

'The Guardian''s February reading group

Send your suggestions to The Guardian for their February Reading Group.
How about one of the less well-known such as 'Robinson' or 'The Takeover' or 'Aiding and Abetting'?

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2018/jan/30/muriel-spark-novel-reading-group-prime-of-miss-jean-brodie?CMP=share_btn_link

'Mistress of Unease': The Poetry of Muriel Spark

Dame Muriel Spark always considered herself a poet, not a novelist.   Stewart Conn, former Edinburgh Makar, will remind us why poetry was essential to her writing.

On February 7th, 12.45 - 1.30 pm, in the Hawthornden Theatre at the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, Stewart will be discussing the poetry of Muriel Spark in an entertaining and stimulating talk.  He is joined by Gerda Stevenson, actor, writer, director and singer, who will be reading Spark's poetry.

Muriel Spark 100: All Miss Brodie's Girls?

Essential listening! On BBC Radio 3's 'The Essay', and online, leading Scottish writers including Ali Smith and Janice Galloway reflect on different aspects of Muriel Spark in a series of talks.

Monday 5 February - Friday 9 February  Radio 3 at 22.45

‘Vital, witty, formidably blithe’: Ali Smith on Muriel Spark at 100

This essay by Ali Smith is a timely reminder of the outstanding lecture she gave for the Society in November 2017.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/29/ali-smith-on-muriel-spark-at-100?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Spark & Burns by Willy Maley

http://scottishbooktrust.com/blog/reading/2018/01/muriel-spark-burns-bright-on-burns-night

The Many Primes of Muriel Spark BBC 2 Scotland

On 31st January at 9 pm on BBC 2: 

Kirsty Wark celebrates the life and work of Dame Muriel Spark, author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and one of the 20th century's most enigmatic cultural figures, on the one-hundredth anniversary of her birth.

Born in Edinburgh, Muriel's extraordinary life took her to colonial Africa, wartime London, literary New York and vibrant 1960s Rome. Her most famous novel - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - immortalised the city of her childhood but with an added darkness and acerbic wit that became her trademark style.

Kirsty retraces Muriel's footsteps from the cobbled streets of Edinburgh to the sublime beauty of Victoria Falls. Contributions from writers AL Kennedy, Janice Galloway, Ali Smith, William Boyd and Val McDermid tell of Muriel Spark's unique literary style and a life full of reinvention.

Kirsty meets with the journalist Alan Taylor, who has recently published his memoir of Muriel, and she travels to Italy for the first television interview with Penelope Jardine, Muriel's close friend of 40 years.

National Library of Scotland, Scottish Charity, No: SCO11086
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BBC Radio 4 - Open Book, A celebration of Muriel Spark

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09lxpyg

Birthday Lunch Change of Venue

Owing to the unexpected closure of the Royal Overseas League, our annual Birthday Lunch is now being held at the Bruntsfield Hotel.

The date remains the same - February 4th - 12.30 for 1 pm.  The cost is slightly more at £27 instead of £25.

Because this year's Birthday Lunch celebrates Dame Muriel's Centenary, the quiz will be based on her life, in particular her autobiography Curriculum Vitae. 

Gail at the NLS December 2017

Photograph thanks to Callum Bennetts

Maverick Photo Agency Ltd

Celebrating the Centenary

There are so many events, talks and programmes coming up in 2018!  If you haven't yet visited the exhibition at the National Library please go!  One visit is actually not enough.  Congratulations to our member Dr Colin McIlroy and his team for a splendid exhibition.

Here are some of the other events coming your way in early 2018.

Radio 4 'The Vital Spark'.  Look out for programmes bearing this overall title.  The first of these is  on January 1st,  at 9.45 am, a 5 part serialisation of Alan Taylor's Appointment in Arezzo.
On January 5th at 2.15 the afternoon drama Intelligence is based on Spark's time employed in MI6.

Radio 3 'All Miss Brodie's Girls?' 29 January - 2 February 22.45-23.00  Each night a leading Scottish writer (Ali Smith, Val McDermid, Janice Galloway, Kate Clanchy, Louise Welsh) reflects on a different aspect of Muriel Spark.

Other events include (see other posts for the  Usher Hall event, the Symposium at Glasgow University and our Birthday Lunch):

2 Feb - 10 June 'A Centenary Celebration at the Writers' Museum, Edinburgh'  I hope they point out our commemorative flagstone in the courtyard there.

7 Feb 'Mistress of Unease'  Stewart Conn discusses the poetry of Muriel Spark with Gerda Stevenson reading the poems at the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Alan Taylor is talking about Spark in various venues: 25 January in AK Bell Library, Perth; 1 February at Central Library, Edinburgh; 4 February 20 High Street, Linlithgow

More events are of course planned but not made official yet.  The blog will keep you up to date.

The International Style of Muriel Spark

This unmissable exhibition at the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, is now open until May 2018.  Curated by Colin McIlroy and his team, Muriel Spark's life from Edinburgh to Tuscany is beautifully depicted through her journals, her dresses, photographs and letters.  Congratulations to Colin (one of our members) for doing justice to Dame Muriel.

The Muriel Spark Centenary Symposium 2018

This event, which takes place at the University of Glasgow, promises to be one of the highlights of the Centenary.

The Symposium is organised by Helen Stoddart and Professor Gerard Carruthers of the University of Glasgow and members of staff of the National Library of Scotland, led by Colin McIlroy.

It runs for two days, February 1st (the date of Muriel Spark's birth) and February 2nd.  On January 31st there will be a reception and a screening of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

It is now open for registration for all those interested.

For further details:  Click here

Society ticket offer for Usher Hall event - 31 January 2018 - all tickets have now gone

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is holding a Spark event at the Usher Hall on 31 January 2018 - Creme de la Creme.  For details - Click here .

Believing that the Society should enjoy exclusive benefits to this event, one of our members has bought ten tickets.

These are all on offer to Society members only and are complimentary.

If any member would like one of these tickets, please contact Gail by email or telephone.

(Gail did ask the EIBF if they would consider including the Society in their discounted ticket deal but their offer was exclusive to their own Patrons and Friends.)

Spark event at the Usher Hall

Usher Hall event Creme de la Creme - Click here

The Muriel Spark Society, through its members, has been a key contributer to the support given to Birlinn/Polygon for the lovely new issues of the novels.  The Society thanks the publishers for accrediting this support in each edition.

The Bottle Imp

Professor Willy Maley of Glasgow University, proud owner of a Muriel Spark Society t-shirt, has sent this link to be shared with members;
https://www.thebottleimp.org.uk/2017/11/that-promethian-spark/
Click here

The University of Glasgow is holding a two day 'Muriel Spark Centenary Symposium ' on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 February 2018.  (A screening of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is scheduled for the 31st January)
Look out for more details which will be published on this blog when information is finalised.
Our Annual Lecturer Ali Smith will be there.

Spark and Time - with Ali Smith

The Muriel Spark Society Annual Lecture 2017

Ali Smith and Gail Wylie at the 2017 Lecture 

on November 14th

at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Appointment in Arezzo by Alan Taylor review – the truth about Muriel Spark

The Guardian review - click here .

Annual Lecture 2017 and 2018

Ali Smith delighted her audience on Tuesday 14 November with an outstanding lecture which must make us all want to read or re read everything Spark wrote.  Thanks so much Ali - we hope to welcome you again.

Professor Allan Riach of the University of Glasgow will give the 2018 Lecture on her work as a poet.

Members' Visit to Umbria 2018

The visit to Umbria will take place 19-25 March 2018, through 'Learn Italy'.

We will be staying in Citta di Castello and visiting the paintings of Muriel Spark's favourite artist, Piero della Francesca in nearby towns, including Urbino. 

If anyone is interested in joining this trip, please contact Gail. 

Annual Lecture 2017

Tuesday 14th November will be the Society's 16th Annual Lecture and will be given this year by Ali Smith.

All tickets have been taken for this event but interest is still high - so please, if you have a ticket but can no longer attend, would you let the NLS know?

Alan Taylor's 'Appointment in Arezzo'

Alan Taylor's lively and engaging memoir of his friendship with Muriel Spark is to be launched on Thursday 9th November, 6.30 pm at the Saltire Society, Fountain Court, Edinburgh to which all members of the Society are invited.

Alan, a former Chair of the Society,  has generously included the following acknowledgement:

'Thanks, too, are due to the members of the small but perfectly formed Muriel Spark Society, which exists to keep the Spark flame alive.  I recommend joining it to anyone who has an interest in Muriel and her oeuvre.  May it go on its way rejoicing.'

Makars’ Court 2008

The first permanent memorial to Dame Muriel is in Makars’ Court in Edinburgh

- thanks to the members of the Muriel Spark Society.

The stone was laid in 2008 for Dame Muriel's 90th.

See The Scotsman for further details.

Some photos and a video from the event below:

Makars' Court

Eric Dickson, Gail Wylie, Alan Taylor and Lorna Statham from the Muriel Spark Society 

and Deirdre Brock from The City of Edinburgh Council

For the Society blog of 31 May 2008 click here .

Video courtesy of Sean Groat at www.luxvideo.co.uk

Gail Wylie on the centenary

The Society is delighted to be a supporter of the centenary celebrations including the new publication of all Dame Muriel's novels by Polygon. 
See the Muriel Spark Centenary Editions at www.birlinn.co.uk

For Gail Wylie’s centenary interview for Creative Scotland

Click here

Polygon publishes all the novels

Polygon are publishing all 22 novels over the next year. Edited by Alan Taylor, they each have an introduction by leading writers (including past Annual Lecturers such as Candia McWilliam and Ronald Frame). Each cover is a different colour; the back carries a photograph of Muriel at the age of writing that particular novel; on the cover a quotation from the text and a typewriter keyboard show the order in which the novels were originally published.  This stunning collection is a fitting testament to Spark in her Centenary year.
The Muriel Spark Society was able to help support this initiative through the generosity of its members and we will be acknowledged in each edition.
Visit Polygon's website (www.birlinn.co.uk) or CLICK HERE to find out more.

Annual Lecture 2017: Ali Smith

The Society is delighted to welcome  Ali Smith as our lecturer on November 14 at 6 pm at the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.  The subject of her lecture will be Spark and Time.

This event is free but booking a ticket is essential.  Visit www.nls.uk/events or telephone 0131 623 3734.

(Members contact Eric as there are some places reserved for members of the Society)

This lecture marks the first public event celebrating Muriel Spark's Centenary in 2018.  Further details of all events, exhibitions, publications and much more will be posted here and on the Muriel Spark 100 website.

Successful Lyon and Turnbull sale

The sale of books and a table from the estate of Robin Spark attracted great interest.  In particular, a first edition of 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', inscribed by Dame Muriel to her son "To Robin, Love and wonkies, Mummy xxx" fetched £21,250 - 42 times its estimate.

Edinburgh International Children's Festival

If any members are interested in helping out at the following Festival, please follow the link.  I'm posting this message on behalf of its organisers who are led by Pamela Walker, previously with the National Theatre of Scotland. 

Volunteering at the Festival

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteers to join the 2017 Festival team during the week of 27 May – 4 June.

Volunteers play an integral part in making the Festival happen each year and we welcome volunteers from all walks of life. Our Volunteers are the public face of the Festival; helping our school, family and delegate audiences at each venue, staffing industry and guest events, and supporting the Festival team behind the scenes throughout the week.

In return for your time and commitment you'll be able to see Festival performances, attend social events, and take part in a hugely exciting, creative and rewarding week.

If you are interested, please apply by forwarding a covering letter and your CV to volunteers@imaginate.org.uk.

0131 225 8050 • www.imaginate.org.uk
30B Grindlay Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9AX­­

Edinburgh International Children's Festival 27 May – 4 June 2017

Imaginate is a company limited by guarantee registered at the above address.
Company No. SC115855 • Charity No. SC016437 • VAT No. 553 3970 29

Promoting and developing theatre and dance for children and young people in Scotland

Annual November Lecture

On the 14th of November at 6 pm the annual lecture at the National Library of Scotland will be given this year by the innovative and acclaimed novelist Ali Smith.
20 seats are reserved for members of the Society.  This lecture is limited to 100 people and is free, but a reserved ticket is essential.
Further details of booking a seat will be made available nearer the time.

AGM June 14th 2017

This year the AGM will be held on June 14th at 7 pm at the Saltire Society, High Street, Edinburgh.
After business, we will be given a short talk by Professor Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow.
We will then proceed to a nearby restaurant for dinner. If you are interested in coming to the dinner please let our Treasurer know by May 31st.

Visit to the Court of the Lord Lyon

Miss Jean Brodie famously told her set, 'If I were to receive a proposal of marriage from the Lord Lyon King of Arms I would decline it.'  The Society is visiting this famous Court on Thursday 23rd of March at 2 pm.  They can accommodate 15 of us, so please put your name down soon.  Email gewylie@btinternet.com for a place. We will meet at the gate of New Register House just before 2 pm. (If you stand at the front door of the Balmoral Hotel and look straight ahead, it's the building ahead of you at the top of the lane.)

Honours List 2017

Congratulations to Sandy Wylie (Lord Kinclaven) on receiving an OBE in today's Honours List.  This is for 'the introduction of the Scottish Legal System in schools.'  To read more about Sandy's initiative (also known as MiniTrials) go thepaisleysnail.blogspot.com