A hundred years ago, my father, already a veteran of World War I, was studying for his doctorate in political science at the University of Vienna. To obtain his degree, he had to write a thesis. He chose – we can only surmise why – to explore the topic of national assimilation, with the aim […]
In 1974, musician and composer Jo Collins met teacher and director Mary Ward. They shared a belief that everyone should have the opportunity to perform and create, leading them to establish a theatre company. Initially operating out of local church halls, they were given the use of a disused chicken shed on vacant land belonging to local […]
Once upon a time my mother, Anni, was young. She had been born and went to school in Vienna. Her boyfriend – at least, that’s what he thought he was – was called Paul, and Paul had an older sister called Franzi. In the late 1930s, they all dispersed, fled, emigrated, when the Nazis came […]
From the LBF website: London Book Fair has appointed two charities as Charities of the Year 2024. “National Literacy Trust is a charity changing people’s life chances through the power of words – from first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond. In 2022, the National Literacy Trust reached over 1.3 million children […]
“One of the 50 best reference sources of the millennium.” (Library Journal) “Succeeds in performing the most difficult of balancing acts, satisfying specialists while at the same time remaining accessible to the general reader.” (The Times) “As a reference work there is nothing to compare.” (The Daily Telegraph) Q: What were these reviewers talking about? […]