Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875); a Celebration and Reappraisal

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (1805–1875); A CELEBRATION AND REAPPRAISAL A Conference 8 – 10 August 2005 at the British Library Conference Centre, 96 Euston Road London NW1 2005 marks the 200th birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, one of Europe’s finest and most original storytellers. But Andersen was much more than the author of the fairy tales that have made his reputation in Britain. As performer, artist, man of letters and celebrity, Andersen did much to shape Victorian art and literature. His legacy was a new form of writing that has influenced authors as various as Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde and Philip Pullman. Organised by the British Library in association with the University of Newcastle and the Institute of English Studies at the University of London, the conference will explore this enigmatic and contradictory character. Specialists from around the world will gather to offer valuable background and new perspectives on Andersen’s life and work. SPEAKERS INCLUDE Marina Warner novelist, mythographer and critic. Her works include From the Beast to the Blonde; Six Myths of Our Time and her new novel Magicians. Maria Tatar Harvard College Professor and John L. Loeb Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures. Johan de Mylius University of Odense and Director of the Hans Christian Andersen Research Centre in Copenhagen. Ruth Bottigheimer State University of New York at Stony Brook. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? The conference will provide valuable background for academics, teachers, librarians and other professionals who will be involved in introducing Andersen to the public in the course of this bicentenary year. Marina Warner’s evening talk on 8 August, ‘Eyes like Carbuncles: The Spell of Fairytale Now’, will also be open to members of the public. SCHEDULE Monday 8 August 16.30 – 21.00 includes an evening reception and a chance to see the British Library’s Hans Christian Andersen exhibition (see below). Tuesday 9 August 09.30 – 17.00 includes specialist second-hand book stalls. Wednesday 10 August 09.30 – 16.15 includes Research Training Sessions on tracing material relating to children’s literature and fairy tales in the British Library’s collections (part of the AHRB Research Training Scheme) aimed at MPhil level and above. PRICE Early Bird rates if you register before 7 July £50 (£25 concessions) £60 (£30 concessions) after that date. Price includes morning and afternoon refreshments (not lunch). Concessions are available to 18 years and under, senior citizens, full-time students, unwaged (ES40), Friends of the British Library and staff of the British Library, IES and University of Newcastle. 10% discount for all delegates in the British Library Bookshop during the conference. TO BOOK Contact Joanne Grubb at the Institute of English Studies, University of London T +44 (0)20 7862 8675 F +44 (0)20 7862 8720 [email protected] www.sas.ac.uk/ies/hca/ ■ The Little Match Girl and his The exhibition is designed and animated HANS CHRISTIAN belief in the innocence of children in collaboration with theatre-rites, the ■ The Tin Soldier and his feelings renowned theatre company. theatre-rites ANDERSEN about women and the unobtainable receives revenue funding from Arts Council England 20 May – 2 October 2005 This is a new-style exhibition for the British Library. Interactive exhibits complement the OPENING HOURS more traditional historical material to mix 09.30-18.00 Mon, Wed, Thur and Fri A free exhibition word and play, reality and magic. Within a 09.30-20.00 Tue for people of all ages soundscape inspired by Andersen’s stories; 09.30-17.00 Sat puppets, pulleys, projections and paper-cuts 11.00-17.00 Sun and Public Holidays in the British Library Pearson Gallery bring Andersen’s characters to life. Visitors can perform their own fairytales, go under Our new exhibition aims to reveal the water and find the Snow Queen herself. underlying themes to Andersen’s fiction. Using clues provided by some of his best Material chosen from the collections of known characters it explores the dark side as the British Library, as well as items on loan well as the innocence of his vision. See how from Denmark and beyond, focuses the the fairy stories reflect Andersen’s true story: exhibition on Andersen’s life and reception MADE POSSIBLE BY ■ The Ugly Duckling and his own life journey in Britain. Original manuscripts and early Hans Christian Andersen 2005, ■ The Little Mermaid and his interest editions are on show, together with ballet the Kingdom of Denmark in the supernatural and immortality costumes from the Royal Opera House. and the Bikuben Foundation.

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