Sheffield Libraries are bringing a little hope into these cold, dark days with their latest series of online talks, workshops, and podcasts. The Hope Season is aimed at bringing people together and offering some optimism and inspiration, or maybe just some distraction for an hour or two when you might need it.
The Hope Season programme:
Dear 2021: The Start of it, was a series of writing workshops run by
Sheffield Libraries Writer in Residence Nik Perring led a series of writing workshops with a group of Sheffielders, reflecting on the past year and looking forward hopefully to the future. Watch the contributions filmed at home by participants.
View on YouTube
Rootbound – A Conversation with Alice Vincent
Alice Vincent, editor, blogger and author of new book Rootbound, Rewilding a Life, talks about how plants and gardens can mend the soul.
View recording
Mindfulness for Parents
Tuesday 2nd February, 1:30pm
Mindfulness is concerned with paying attention to the present moment, without getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future. In this introductory session you will work through the basics and explore the benefits of mindfulness in your everyday life. This session is part of the libraries' new Parenting Pod series.
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Tea and Verse
Thursday 4th February, 2:30pm
Pop the kettle and sit back for a relaxing session poetry. You can share your own favourite poem, if you'd like.
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Stoicism and Hope
Monday 8th February, 7:30pm
Join John Sellars, author of Lessons in Stoicism, a deeply thoughtful guide to the philosophy of a good life. The book shows how the works of the Stoics have inspired readers, speaking to some of the perennial issues that face anyone trying to navigate their way through life. Their works are about how to live – how to understand one's place in the world, how to cope when things don't go well, how to manage one's emotions and how to behave towards others.
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Weird, Wild, and Wonderful! With Poet James Carter
Wednesday 17th February, 2pm
Want to sing to a woolly mammoth? Hear the moon speak? Fancy finding out what an elephant might say to a dung beetle? Or learn how to play air guitar in under 20 seconds? Tune in for a lively, madcap hour of poems and music aplenty, with Steve the melodica, Keith the guitar and Erik the disco ukulele. The second half of the session is a mini-workshop in writing your own weird, wild and wonderful poem. For kids aged 7+.
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The Great British Bucket List
Monday 22nd February, 7:30pm
Travel writer Richard Madden shares his ultimate British must-do list. As well as offering an insight into the life of travel writer, he also looks forward to his next book about British wildlife experiences.
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Skin: It Takes Blood and Guts
Tuesday 23rd February, 7pm
Lead singer of multi-million-selling rock band Skunk Anansie, solo artist, LGBTQ+ activist and all around trail blazer – Skin is a global icon, and she has been smashing stereotypes for over twenty-five years. Her journey from Brixton to one of the most influential women in British rock is nothing short of extraordinary. Her success has been ground-breaking in every way, which has come at a personal cost. She has always been vocal about social and cultural issues and was championing LGBTQ+ rights at a time when few artists were out and gay. This is an LGBTQ+ History month event in partnership with Lambeth Libraries.
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Digesting History
Thursday 25th February, 8pm
Take a seat at the digital dinner table for a menu of poetry, conversation and film. Inspired by the Anglo-Saxon tradition of feasting, Digesting History will bring folks together in their homes for a unique dinnertime experience to share recipes, riddles and brand-new poetry from Rachel Bower, Kayo Chingonyi and Joe Kriss. Sparked by conversations with communities across Sheffield, this new body of work spans the evolution of local dialect, women’s inherited objects and what it means to be British. Using Anglo-Saxon life as a starting point, the event will explore the importance of community spaces to local identity through talks, discussion, and the premiere of a new film by award-winning filmmaker Eelyn Lee that celebrates Sheffield’s communities and the outstanding efforts of food banks.
The first 300 Sheffield residents to sign up will receive a curated package of poems and recipes delivered to their doors from interactive arts company The Bare Project.
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