Dickens believed that enriching people’s life with knowledge and enjoyment of the arts was key to building a fair society and creating opportunities. Dickens 2012 is committed to following Dickens’s educational mission by supporting learning activities around the world, from teachers’ conferences and family workshops to creative writing master classes and writing competitions.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.
A word in earnest is as good as a speech.
Injustice breeds injustice
Accidents will occur in the best regulated families
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another
Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some
The sun does not shine upon this fair earth to meet frowning eyes, depend upon it.
Treachery don't come natural to beaming youth; but trust and pity, love and constancy,--they do, thank God!
Literature & Education
Cityread in London
Cityread lands in London for the first time to engage the capital with Dickens’s classic Oliver Twist.
Speak Up!
High Schools across the US are launching ‘The Charles Dickens Oral Interpretation Contest’. Win $1,500 and a trip to London!
The ESU Great Dickens Debate - Public Lectures
23 Feb 2012 - 24 Feb 2012
The English-Speaking Union, Dartmouth House, London (UK)
The English-Speaking Union is a charity using English as a common global language to nurture dialogue and the exchange of ideas and opinions. To celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, the ESU will hold two public lectures at Dartmouth House on 23 February 2012 as part of the “ESU Great Dickens Debate”. The morning lecture will be given by Professor Malcolm Andrews, followed in the afternoon by novelist Lynn Shepherd, author of 'Tom All Alone’s', and who will discuss her journey to create a new and darker Dickens for the bicentenary. Contact susan.conway@esu.org for tickets and more information.
Charles Dickens Celebration Evening at Wokingham Library
23 Feb 2012 - 24 Feb 2012
Wokingham Library, UK
Celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens with readings illustrating his life and works by members of Wokingham Theatre. Wokingham Library, Thursday 23 February 2012 at 8pm. Tickets £3. Call (0118) 9781368 to book.
Claire Tomalin, author of the latest biography of 'Charles Dickens: A Life', will be taking part in the Sky Arts Book Show Dickens Special.
Discover what it was like to grow up in Victorian times and find out how Dickens’s own childhood had an impact on his writing. Dress up as Victorian child, play with Victorian toys and make your own toy to take home. There will also be photographs of Victorian Wigan and Leigh to see and workhouse artefacts to handle. Telephone: 01942 828128. FREE, no need to book. Suitable for families and all ages. Some activities may have a small charge. 11am-2.30pm.
Valerie Browne Lester, the great-great granddaughter of Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz) and author of Phiz, the Man Who Drew Dickens, reveals the real person behind the illustrator of many of Dickens’s greatest novels. By tracing back to Phiz’s antecedents, Valerie has revealed an inherited reason for his talent and discovered images that may surprise her audience. The talk is free but booking is essential. This event is part of the City of London's programme of events to celebrate Dickens.
28 Feb 2012 - 23 Feb 2012
Waterstones Trafalgar Square 7pm, The Grand Building, London WC2N 5EJ
Ruth Richardson, author of Dickens and the Workhouse will be visiting Waterstones Trafalgar Square on Tuesday 28th February at 7pm, to discuss how one of his greatest novels 'Oliver Twist' is linked to Dicken's own insight into the workhouses and the London Poor and was the inspiration for writing it. Tickets £3 available from the branch and redeemable against the book on the night. Call 020 7839 4411 to reserve your space or email manager@trafalgar-square.waterstones.com.
Simon Callow on Dickens at the Museum of London
29 Feb 2012 - 23 Feb 2012
Museum of London, London Wall, EC2Y 5HN
The eminent actor, writer and director offers a fresh perspective on Dickens, uncovering not only a literary great but a true showman who adored the stage and became an early ‘celebrity’ author with his many theatrical reading tours. Incorporating special performances of the novelist’s work, Simon Callow will bring to life the spirit of Dickens’s dazzling genius.
8-9.30pm
Book in advance £6 (concs £5)
The eminent actor, writer and director offers a fresh perspective on Dickens, uncovering not only a literary great but a true showman who adored the stage and became an early ‘celebrity’ author with his many theatrical reading tours. Incorporating special performances of the novelist’s work, Simon Callow will bring to life the spirit of Dickens’s dazzling genius.
"Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There is no better rule". Explore 'Great Expectations' with Hazel Hale MA MEd PGCE and find out why Dickens is one of the Greats. No previous Dickens reading experience required. Booking is essential - call 01472 323620. This is one of five sessions and it is preferred that you can commit to all five. 2pm start.
Paul Schlicke, an internationally renowned Dickens scholar, celebrates 200 years since the birth of one of Britain's most popular authors. He draws together an unparalleled diversity of information on one of Britain's greatest writers, covering his life and work, He throws new and often unexpected light on the most familiar of Dickens's works, and explores the experiences, events, and literature which influenced him.
