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PROGRAMME OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Live talks take place at the University Women's Club in Mayfair. We stream some talks, usually from overseas speakers, via Zoom. Whenever possible, talks are recorded and made available to members via the Members' Area of the website.

We also organise trips and tours for members and their guests. These are advertised in the monthly newsletters.

During 2023 there were trips for members to Boughton House in Northamptonshire, to Kettle's Yard and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, a visit to museums in Poland, to Knole Park in Kent, and to the British Museum. In February 2024  there was a curator-led visit to Leighton House in Kensington.  Details of forthcoming visits appear in the members' newsletters.

Our next event

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024

Lecture by Chris Aslan: 'May the eye not strike: magical protection in Islamic textiles and jewellery'. 18.00 (GMT). Via Zoom.

'May the eye not strike: magical protection in Islamic textiles and jewellery'.

 

Belief in the Evil Eye is widespread, including across the Muslim world. Amulets, embroidered mirror-work, beads and power emblems such as the hand, the eye, rams’ horns, the triangle and the chilli all help protect those fearful of the Evil Eye or the jinn. Whether adorning a person or a cradle, house or yurt, textiles and jewellery and even architecture have been shaped by a desire to provide spiritual protection.

 

Chris Aslan was born in Turkey and spent his childhood there. After university in the UK, he moved to Khiva, establishing a UNESCO workshop reviving 15th century carpet designs and embroideries. He left during an anti-Western purge and spent a year writing about his experiences in A Carpet Ride to Khiva. Chris then spent several years in the Pamirs mountains of Tajikistan. His latest book is Unravelling the Silk Road: Travels and Textiles in Central Asia.

Guests welcome. Please contact Dimity Spiller to enquire.

More dates for your diary
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for details

Wednesday, April 17th, 2024

Lecture by Coryn Greatorex-Bell: 'A glimpse at Guatemalan dress 1820-2020.' University Women’s Club. 18.00 for 18.30 (GMT)

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

Lecture by Penny Oakley: 'Suzanis: A New Light on an Old Story'

University Women's Club. 18.00 for 18.30 (GMT).

Society talks are normally held at the University Women's Club 

in South Audley Square just behind the Dorchester Hotel. Talks start at 7pm. 

 

Both Green Park and Hyde Park Corner tube stations are a short walk away. Free street parking

after 6.30pm (Tilney St, Stanhope Gate, Hill St, Waverton St, Curzon St, Chesterfield Gardens)

 

Guests are welcome to attend for £7 a single lecture. Students £5. 

Membership of one year for all events from £30.

EVENTS IN DETAIL

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