Muriel Spark and Sound Technologies

MurielSpark and Sound Technologies LateSummer Lecture Series Deadline:30 September 2020 at 17:30 MurielSpark and Deceptive Sound Technologies : Hearing theAcousmatic Voice Thislecture draws on Spark's Political Warfare Executiveexperienceduring the Second World War to explore the deployment ofdeceptivesound technologies such as the wireless and the telephone inherfiction. Due to their disembodied nature, these technologiesrely onthe acousmatic voice - the voice without origin - to enacttheirpresence, yet their lack of visual references providesopportunitiesfor manipulation and deception. Location: AllScotland ,England, Wales, Northern Ireland, International Forfurther information, please contact latesummerlectures@gmail.com orvisit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/muriel-spark-and-sound-technologies-late-summer-lecture-series-2020-tickets-115344225684 Thedeadline is Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 17:30.

No more James Gillespie's?

James Gillespie: leading school urged to rename over founder’s slavery links. Dame Muriel's school, the inspiration for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, is being urged to change its name due to current events. There is an article in today's Times if you wish to learn more. Gillespie was involved in the tobacco trade, and was a tobacconist in Edinburgh's High Street.

The Muriel Spark Society Lecture 2020

We are delighted to announce that we are able to hold our annual lecture over the Web this year. The event is part of the National Library of Scotland's zoom events programme and we are once again very grateful for the support. Our speaker is Professor Fiona Sampson, who, like Spark, has written a biography of Mary Shelley. She was also only the second female editor of Poetry Review after Spark herself in the 1940s. Professor Sampson's title: Muriel Spark: finding her form. The lecture will broadcast on November 12 at 5pm. We will send out more joining instructions nearer the time, but advise that you register with Eventbrite. We look forward to the worldwide audience that will for the first time be able to join us for our lecture.

Muriel Spark and the Art of Deception - new article

It is a pleseure to welcome our new member, Biatriz Lopez, a PhD candidate at Durham University. She also kindly gave us a note of an intriguing article she has just published: I'm writing to you because I have just published a new journal article, 'Muriel Spark and the Art of Deception: Constructing Plausibility with the Methods of WWII Black Propaganda', in the Review of English Studies, which I think may be of interest to members of the Muriel Spark Society. If you circulate a mailing list or are active in social media, would you please be able to feature some information about the article? It can be accessedthrough the following link: https://doi.org/10.1093/res/hgaa039

Terence Greer Book artist 1929-2020

Sad to report the passing of the brilliant book artist Terence Greer, who died recently in Canada. As you can see from above, and below, he produced wonderfully memorable covers for Muriel's books for Penguin. He also did a work for Radio Times, which some may remember.
Great to see these images again.

Aileen Christianson

Sad to announce the passing of the academic and writer Aileen Christianson, aged 75. She was a life member of the Society and spoke for us at the National Library of Scotland.There is an obituary in the Guardian in which Muriel gets a mention, 23 June 2020.

Muriel Spark, Mary Shelley and a 21st Century plague

Muriel Spark praised Mary Shelley’s The Last Man, which deals with a 21st Century plague. There is a paperback edition from OUP if it is not too near the bone, although many are reading Defoe and Camus for plague literature!

Nash Ensemble

Many  will remember with pleasure the Nash Ensemble at the Spark concert in the Queen’s Hall in January. You can now hear a lot more of them in Radio 3’s lunchtime concert series this week, and also on BBC Sounds. Enjoy.

Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Vampire Menace

Congratulations to our member Olga Wojtas on the recent publication of her second novel featuring fifty something librarian Shona, former pupil of Marcia Blaine. This time her adventures take her o fin de siecle France, with Debussy and Alan Taylor making appearances ...
Paperback original from Contraband £8.99. Kindle edition £3.99.
Forgive the personal reference, but this post was written by a fifty-something librarian!

Appointment in Arezzo - A Good Read

Alan Taylor’s Appointment in Arezzo will be discussed on Radio 4’s A Good Read tomorrow (24 March) at 4.30pm. Happy listening.
Good wishes of encouragement and comfort to all, especially if you are self-isolating. Take care.

Zoe Caldwell 1933-2020

Sad to note the death this month of the four time Tony Award winner Zoe Caldwell. She won a Tony Award for her Broadway portrayal of Miss Jean Brodie in 1968.

Eric Lloyd 1923-2019

The Society is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Eric Lloyd on December 27, at the age of 96. Eric was our founding Treasurer and was an indispensable support to his wife Christine in establishing and developing the Muriel Spark Society. The Chairman will attend the funeral on January 10th. Our sincerest condolences to Christine.

Henry Kondracki: literary supplement

A chamber exhibition of paintings by Kondracki inspired by literary Edinburgh is on at the Royal Scottish Academy until January 5 2020. As you might imagine, Muriel Spark and Jean Brodie feature prominently. Entrance is free.

Muriel Spark Society Book Group

The Muriel Spark Society Book Group will meet on Monday 20 January at 6pm. The location is the Saltire Society just off the High Street in Edinburgh. Gail Wylie will lead a discussion of the poems by Spark which inspired David Matthews musical piece, White Flame, to be performed by the Nash
Ensemble with mezzo soprano a week hence at the Queen’s Hall (see separate post below)
The five early poems are:
The Victoria Falls
Like Africa
Winter Poem
To Lucius Sestius in the Spring
Epilogue

Concert for Muriel Spark

A concert with a Scottish premiere of a piece inspired by Spark’s poetry will be held in Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall on Monday 27 January 2020 at 7.45pm. The new piece, White Flame, is by David Matthews and is for piano quintet and mezzo soprano. The piece was commissioned by Penelope Jardine to mark Dame Muriel’s centenary in 2018.
The Nash Ensemble will perform in a concert supported by the Muriel Spark Society and The New Town Concert Society.
There is a pre concert talk at 6.30 pm: composer David Matthews and Alan Taylor.
Tickets are available from the Queen’s Hall Box Office:
0131 668 2019.

Muriel Spark Society Annual Birthday Lunch 2020

Our annual Birthday Lunch will take place on Sunday 26 January at 12.30pm. The venue is the Bruntsfield Hotel Edinburgh. Once again there will be a raffle and a quiz (with prizes!) on the novel, Memento Mori. In honour of the closeness to Burns day, haggis will be on the menu. The lunch is £32 per head with fizz on arrival and a glass of wine with lunch. It is open to non-members; please contact the Society if you would like to join us.

Angus P Collins 1943-2019

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Angus Collins. Angus’s course on Muriel Spark is the context out of which the Society grew. He inspired our founder, Christine Lloyd, and encouraged her to write to Spark to gain her blessing for the formation of a society in her name. He worked on the Committee, led book groups with quiet precision, and co-edited our newsletter. Many members will have happy memories of him.
The Chairman attended the funeral at the invitation of his widow, Hiromi.

Janice Galloway gives our annual lecture 12 November 2019

Janice Galloway delivered a fresh, detailed and unique perspective on Muriel Spark at the National Library of Scotland this week. The event was booked out, and informed questions taken at the end. She spoke about meetings with Spark, Spark's works and life. All was engagingly illustrated with colourful slides and a sound excerpt form an interview. Great to hear Muriel's voice once again.

Agnes Crawford in Venice ...

Check out Rome specialist Agnes Crawford on Venice. Wonderful images and insights.
@understandrome.

Scottish premiere of music inspired by Muriel Spark

A special coda to the Muriel Spark centenary with the first performance in Scotland of David Matthews’ setting of Muriel Spark poems, White Flame. This will be framed by a hallmark Nash Ensemble selection from some of the best-loved works in the chamber repertory.


Mozart: Piano Quartet in G minor K478
David Matthews: ‘White Flame’ – a setting of Muriel Spark poems for mezzo-soprano, piano and string quartet
Brahms: Two songs Op 91 for voice, viola & piano
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat Op 44
Victoria Simmonds: mezzo-soprano


Preceded at 6.30pm by a talk by composer David Matthews and Alan Taylor, past Chairman of The Muriel Spark Society, on the work commissioned to celebrate her writings.

Nash Ensemble, 19:45 Monday 27 Jan 2020

The Queen's Hall, The Queen's Hall, 85-89 Clerk St, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG

Tickets £16-£25

To book tickets, please call the Box Office on +44 (0)131 668 2019. Opening hours are generally 10am to 5.15pm, although these are extended when there is an event on.

Presented by New Town Concerts Society in association with The Muriel Spark Society and with financial assistance from the Muriel Spark Foundation.

Janice Galloway on Muriel Spark

Acclaimed Scottish novelist Janice Galloway will deliver the annual Muriel Spark Society Lecture at the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, on November 12 2019 at 5.30pm.
The free lecture is now fully booked, but you can contact the National Library of Scotland to be added to the waiting list. Contact NLS events: 0131 623 3734.

Spark at the Edinburgh Art Festival 2019

A Bust of Muriel Spark features in the exhibition below:


NICOLE FARHI: WRITING HEADS

Current exhibition

25 July - 31 August 2019

• Overview
• Works

Overview

Nicole Farhi: Writing Heads - a selection

The Fine Art Society in Edinburgh presents Writing Heads, an exhibition of 25 busts of 20^th century novelists and playwrights sculpted in ciment fondu and painted by Nicole Farhi MRSS, from Françoise Sagan to Muriel Spark and Samuel Beckett. Farhi models her figures as a response to their identity and work, sculpting after her feelings towards the figure as much as their recognisable qualities.

Tutored and mentored by Eduardo Paolozzi and Jean Gibson, Farhi is a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors and has exhibited at Gainsborough’s House and Beaux Arts London.

A limited edition of bronze casts from the busts are available for sale in an edition of 7.

Nicole Farhi: Writing Heads is part of the Edinburgh Art Festival,
25 July - 25 August 2019 edinburghartfestival.com @EdArtFest #EdArtFest

The Muriel Spark Society AGM

Our AGM will take place this coming Monday 3 June at 6pm. The location is once again the Saltire Society. Please note: subscriptions are due for renewal on the night.
After formal business is concluded, we will have a talk by Shane Strachan, and then on to dinner at Pizza Express on North Bridge. Hope to see you there.

Jazzy Spark at the Fringe

Saxophonist Raymond MacDonald is performing an intriguing interpretation of Spark at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. “Lie still my sleepy fortunes” will take place at the Pianodrome at the Pitt (Venue 391) on August 16 and 17 at 5pm. The performance lasts one hour.
£12 (£10)

Spark Book Group - Territorial Rights and My Venice

The next Spark Book Group will convene on Tuesday 9 April at 6pm. We will meet in the Saltire Society at 22 High Street, and will be expertly led once again by Joyce Caplan. Territorial Rights was studied for the annual quiz, so the homework should all be done! Please also read Spark's essay on Venice, which can be found in the collection, The Golden Fleece.
Gail Wylie will be freshly returned from Venice and is hoping to bring back some Spark associated booty. We'll also get in the mood with some Italian wine and nibbles. Do join us if you can.

Muriel Spark Society Wine Tasting

The Society presented a very successful wine tasting at the Scottish Arts Club last night. Many members attended, as well as guests invited by Committee member Bridget Stevens. This made for a good mix and a convivial time was had by all. This was in no small measure due to the expertise of Alan Johnston, our guide for the evening. After a heady start on prosecco, the various wines were presented in batches of two for very telling comparison. A Old World/New World debate ensued!
Fun prizes were presented, and a top one of fine wine went to one of the expert tasters. Our great thanks particularly to Alan and Bridget. Thanks to Lorna Statham for organising, prizes, and like Jack Reynolds, pouring so judiciously!

Spark Book Group - next meeting

The Muriel Spark Society Book Group next convenes on Tuesday 9 April at 6pm. Our title this time is Territorial Rights, her novel set in Venice. We shall also consider her brilliant essay on Venice included in The Golden Fleece (pp. 84-89). The discussion will be led by Joyce Caplan.
Refreshments will be served. Join us and do some excellent preparation for our visit! You are also very welcome if you can’t make the trip.
Location:
The Saltire Society
Fountain Close, High Street
Edinburgh

Tweet by The PWE and British Culture on Twitter

	The PWE and British Culture (@PWEpropagandist)
01/02/2019, 14:28 and to celebrate her birthday here's a NEW BLOG POST from ⁦‪@bealoplop‬⁩, on traces of Spark's wartime PWE service to be found in two novels deeply concerned with the appearance of truth ⁦‪@MSparkSociety‬⁩ wp.me/palUv2-3P pic.twitter.com/CVjVMYWL41

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Olga Wojtas goes to Morningside ...

A talk with Olaga Wojtas
Olga Wojtas was born and brought up in Edinburgh where she attended James Gillespie’s High School and inspired by Muriel Spark work. Her latest book, Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samooar is the ‘crème de la crème of crime fiction debuts’. (Edinburgh International Festival)
"Fifty-something Shona is a proud former pupil of the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, but has a deep loathing for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Shona is thrilled when selected by Marcia Blaine herself to travel back in time for a one-week mission in 19th-century Russia..."
She will talk about her book at Morningside Library.

        

Date and Time

Wed, 20 February 2019
14:30 – 15:00 GMT

Add to Calendar

Location

Morningside Library
184 Morningside Road
Edinburgh
EH10 4PU
View Map

Happy 101st Birthday Muriel Spark!

Let the celebrations continue ...

Jessamine Davenport

We are very sad to announce the passing of our stalwart member Jessamine Davenport. Jessamine beguiled us with stories of her life. She was an indispensable part of our trip to Siena, and played host to the Sparkisti at her home. Thank you Jessamine.

Is it red or is it white? Celebrating Carnevale. Wine tasting -more details!

A Tutored Wine Tasting presented by the Muriel Spark Society.

Led by Alan Johnston, former President of the Scottish Wine Society and active member of the Institute of Wines and Spirits in Scotland, as well as holder of a Higher Certificate in Wine from the Institute of Wines and Spirits, Alan is highly qualified to act as our guide in what promised to be a fun, informal yet informative evening. It takes place in the exclusive Club Room of the Scottish Arts Club.

Tuesday 5 March 7.30-9.30pm
The Scottish Arts Club, 24 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BW.

£15

Book your place by 15 February with Spark Society Membership Secretary Lorna Statham at:lornastatham@btinernet.com

The Muriel Spark Society is planning a trip to Venice in March 2020. Organiser Martin Gray of Learn Italy Study Holidays will be present.

Wine Tasting Carnevale 5 March 2019

Join the Muriel Spark Society for a wine tasting at the Scottish Arts Club on 5 March at 7.30pm. It will be led expertly by Alan Johnston, former president of the Scottish Wine Society. The cost is £15.
Please register your interest with our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham: lornastatham@btinternet.com.
Martin Gray from Learn Italy will join us to speak of our proposed trip to Venice in March 2020.

Muriel Spark @ 101: a roundtable at Harvard

Harvard University will hold a symposium on Muriel Spark and novel theory on April 23rd 2019.

The participants are listed below:

 

Timothy Bewes, Brown University

Marilyn Reizbaum, Bowdoin College

Kelly Rich, Harvard University

James Wood, Harvard University

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.