Humanists are to be represented alongside religions in a new body, the Standing Conference on Religion and Belief, which will liaise with the BBC on matters of common concern to the BBC and religious groups and, now, humanists. Philip Pullman, a prominent humanist, said he was “delighted” to see this, because “the wider the range of voices and opinions represented in the conference, the better it will be. At a time when ‘faith’ seems to have become an all-purpose adjective of vague commendation (faith communities, faith schools, faith groups, and so on) it’s important to help people understand that morality, ethics, concern for the poor and so on are not the sole property of those who believe in a God.” Read more courtesy of politics.co.uk.
Humanists to be included in discussions of common concern to the BBC and religious groups
April 20, 2009
Posted in Humanism, Philip Pullman
2 Comments
|
His Dark Materials second most challenged book in 2008
April 19, 2009
The Guardian reports that the His Dark Materials trilogy was the second ‘most challenged’ book in 2008 (up from fourth the previous year) according to the American Library Association. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the ALA’s office for intellectual freedom, said the film of The Golden Compass had renewed attacks on the sequence from Catholic pressure groups. “In many cases school boards reacted precipitously and removed it – then a few weeks later they returned it to the shelves.” Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for the tip.
Posted in The Book Trilogy, The Golden Compass movie
1 Comment
|
Butterfly Tattoo hits American theatres
April 18, 2009
In the Los Angeles area this weekend? The film adaptation of Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo was released to non-festival audiences yesterday. Catch the seven remaining screenings at Laemmle’s Grande 4-plex on 345 South Figueroa Street in downtown L.A. The film shows Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, 510pm, and 930pm, once more on Monday at 510pm, and throughout the week of the 19th. “The rollout of the film to other cities depends on the box office that weekend so please, please go and support the film!”
Visit the official site or click here to buy tickets online.
Posted in The Butterfly Tattoo
1 Comment
|
David Fickling hopes to relaunch DFC
April 13, 2009
This is Oxfordshire reports that David Fickling is hoping to relaunch children’s comic The DFC, which launched in March 2008 and reached issue 43 before it was forced to close earlier this year. Fickling said, “I have been contacted by lots of teachers who loved the comic and classes of children have also written letters to say how much they miss it. I would like to tap into that support from primary schools to attract backing from organisations like the National Literacy Trust. … We need to learn from our mistakes and make something even better next time round. … I would love to see it reopen in the spring of next year, but it is not a foregone conclusion.”
Posted in David Fickling Comic
1 Comment
|
Pullman celebrates plans for UK’s largest ever lending library
April 4, 2009
Responding to news of plans to build the UK’s largest ever lending library in Birmingham, Philip Pullman was quoted, “At a time when more and more libraries are under threat, it is very heartening to hear of one that is planning to expand… And of course I am glad to hear that it will feature up-to-date information technology, but I trust that books and all that they represent will always be at the heart of the Library of Birmingham.” Constructed with a budget of £193m, the Library of Birmingham will be able to accommodate more than three million users per year. Designed by Dutch architects Mecanoo, the library will open at Centenary Square in 2013.
Read the response of other writers here. Thanks to Birmingham-native BlackSatinDancer for the tip.
For more information, read Robert Booth’s article on the renaissance of civic buildings in the wake of the recession. Following years of decline, library have recently reported a 10-15% increase in visitors eager to save money, learn new skills, and discover job opportunities since last summer.
Posted in Philip Pullman
Comments Off on Pullman celebrates plans for UK’s largest ever lending library
|
Content © 2001-2011 BridgeToTheStars.Net.
Images from The Golden Compass movie are © New Line Cinema.
Images from The Golden Compass movie are © New Line Cinema.