SEAMUS Heaney, the distinguished Irish poet, playwright and academic, visited the University of Stirling on September 14 to celebrate the launch of its School of Arts and Humanities.
Heaney, the award winning recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature, is also an honorary graduate of the University. His visit to Stirling allowed audience members to hear him read from his work and discuss his life and career with Alasdair Macrae, literary critic and retired senior lecturer at the University.
Heaney’s visit, organised in association with the Royal Society of Literature, kick-started the official launch celebration of the University’s School of Arts and Humanities, which carries out world-leading research across a range of disciplines.
Describing his visit, Seamus Heaney said: “I am delighted to be back in Stirling; and in Scotland, the home of great lyric poets like George Mackay Brown and Norman MacCaig.”
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Gerry McCormac, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Seamus Heaney – one of the world’s most influential contemporary poets – for this important event. Hearing him read his own world renowned poetry is a privilege very few people get the opportunity to experience.
“The University of Stirling has a world-class reputation for Arts and Humanities through its research and innovative teaching programmes and is renowned for preparing high calibre graduates for successful careers in a range of related fields.
“There is a strong commitment to the promotion of the arts at Stirling and we consider art and creativity to belong at the heart of the educational experience here.
“This inspiring event promoted the wider importance and value of arts subjects and provided audience members with the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussion with one of the giants of literature.”
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For further information, contact Patricia Hess at pr@stir.ac.uk or on 01786 46 687
Notes to editors
Seamus Heaney’s visit was supported by the Derek Hill Foundation and organised in association with the Royal Society of Literature.
The School of Arts and Humanities is one of eight academic Schools within the University. It encapsulates a range of departments including English, History, Politics, Law & Philosophy, Modern Languages, Cultures & Religions and Communications, Media & Culture. More about Stirling’s School of Arts and Humanities here.
The event formed part of a larger programme of Arts and Humanities taster sessions, talks and workshops from 14 to 15 September which together marked the School’s launch. All events – which covered aspects of Law, Literature, Politics, Creative Writing, History, Film and Media – were open to the public and, collectively, provided a glimpse of the types of study areas offered within the School.
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Contact: Patricia Hess
Phone: 01786466687
Email: pr@stir.ac.uk
Website: http://www.stir.ac.uk
