Trinity Week 2010 Launched – ‘Ideas for the future’
Posted on: 01 April 2010
Trinity Week 2010, a week of exciting events including lectures, symposia, trails and film was officially launched by the Trinity College Provost, Dr John Hegarty today (1st April). The activities, all of which are open to the public, will take place from Monday 12th – Saturday 17th April across the Trinity College campus. Organised by the Trinity Long Room Hub on behalf of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the theme for Trinity Week 2010 is Ideas for the future.
At the launch Dr Hegarty commented “Once a year, during Trinity week, Trinity College turns its intellectual energies to an issue of great importance to the world today. Given the upheaval of the moment, what could be more important than exploring new creative ideas that will inspire the soul while simultaneously stimulating new ways of thinking, living and working. This year’s programme for Trinity Week will showcase the enormous appeal of the Arts and Humanities and their contribution to generating new ideas for the future”.
On the occasion of Trinity Week 2010 a new school children’s learning resource, the Trinity Treasure Trail will be launched. Children aged between 8 and 12 years will be invited to participate in this scavenger hunt across the oldest parts of Trinity College Dublin’s campus. Intrepid explorers will receive a specially designed map with a set of questions about the people, places and spaces associated with Trinity. Further details and the Trinity Treasure Trail map, questions and instructions are available in a compact booklet which can be sourced online at www.tcd.ie/longroomhub.
On Tuesday 13th, in association with Children’s Books Ireland, Trinity Week will host two events by children’s author Philip Reeve. At 11am-12.30pm Fantastic Futures with Philip Reeve, Oisín McGann and Conor Kostick is a unique opportunity for children to meet three of the foremost science-fiction writers, for their age, from the UK and Ireland. At 6.30-8.00pm the same day teen and adult fans are invited to listen to Philip Reeve in conversation with Robert Dunbar.
Phoenix and Eva Williams at the launch of the Trinity Treasure Trail, part of Trinity Week 2010.
The Cinemobile, Ireland’s only mobile cinema will be located on campus for two days of Trinity Week: Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th. The Cinemobile will have a range of films from classic horrors to Ireland’s Oscar nominated and winning short films, as well as a specially designed programme for children.
The morning workshop on Tuesday 13th, aimed at 12 to 14 year olds, will be run by the Oscar-winning Trinity College Professor Anil Kokaram who will give away the secrets of the special effects behind the ground-breaking Matrix films. How does an actor freeze in mid air? How do you mix slow motion and computer generated images with live action? All these questions will be answered. The rest of the day will be devoted to horror with Freaks and The Old Dark House.
The morning workshop on Wednesday 14th by the Oscar-nominated director Tomm Moore, The Secret of Kells, will guide children through the steps of how an animation goes from an idea, to a character, to the screen. The workshop will take place just a few steps away from the Long Room where the actual Book of Kells, the inspiration for this animation, is housed. The rest of the day is devoted to more award winners, with a celebration of Ireland’s Oscar-nominated and winning short films, followed by the Palme d’Or winning The Wind that Shakes the Barley.
On Wednesday 14th the Academic Symposium “20/20 Vision: what will the world be like in ten years time?” will look forward to the state of the world in the year 2020. Global Chief Economist at HSBC Bank, Stephen D King will talk about the impact of emerging nations on western economic prosperity. The author Howard Friel will present a vigorous defence of the science behind models of man-made climate change. Professor Nicholas Mirzoeff will examine the likely effects of a profound cultural shift away from the printed word towards the visual image. Taken together, these presentations will sketch some of the most pressing problems facing society, and the ways in which humankind can employ reason, evidence and critical thought to surmount these challenges. This event will be chaired by Aine Lawlor, RTE broadcaster.
On Thursday 15th the Leadership Forum: “Arts and Culture – the Future for Ireland?” will explore how the arts and cultural spheres can contribute to the economic revitalization of Ireland. This panel discussion will address the contribution made by arts and culture to social health and wealth, including how so-called ‘soft’ disciplines and the leaders of cultural and heritage institutions are creating new modes for social and economic transformation and how artistic achievement and cultural heritage can become a source of pride and competitive advantage in international markets. Guest speakers include Maurice Biriotti, CEO SHM Ltd and Adjunct Professor of Humanities Innovation at Trinity College, Ed Guiney producer of The Wind that Shakes the Barley, Gráinne Millar, Head of Cultural Development at the Temple Bar Cultural Trust and John O’Hagan Professor of Economics at Trinity College. The event will be chaired by former BBC news presenter Martyn Lewis.
On Friday 16th, the renowned literary critic Terry Eagleton will discuss the subject “What is evil?” For many people, the concept of ‘evil’ is anachronistic in the modern age. In this talk, Eagleton will launch a surprising defence of the reality of evil. It is, he will suggest, a phenomenon with palpable force in the contemporary world.
On Saturday 17th, Philip Pullman will discuss his controversial new book, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, in conversation with Fintan O’Toole. This event has been organised in conjunction with The Dublin Writer’s Festival. It is the only event of the week for which there is an entrance fee. Tickets can be bought online at www.dublinwritersfestival.com
Further details and the full programme is available on www.tcd.ie/trinityweek.
About Trinity Week
Trinity Week is an annual week long programme of events where everyone; the public, students and academics, are invited to Trinity College to celebrate College life and the high standards of achievement of students and staff. Every year a different Faculty hosts Trinity Week under a nominated theme. Trinity Week hosts a number of annual and new events every year. All are welcome.