Thursday talks to explore local culture and heritage
SHETLAND’s rich culture and heritage will be explored with a programme of ‘Thursday Lates’ talks at the Shetland Museum and Archives.
The talks will take place on selected Thursdays, with the first one taking place on Thursday (7 March).
Following the overarching theme of ‘Connections’, it is said that each talk – presented by curators, archivists or specialist guest speakers – will bring to light lesser-known topics, uncovering surprising insights along the way.
From March to April the sessions will range from the connections between German merchants and Shetlanders between 1697 and 1712, to an analysis of pre-modern beliefs in the vulnerability of humans and animals during darkness, sleep and childbirth.
Arctic connections will be explored too.
Museum services team lead Ailish Goodlad said: “Subjects covered are broad ranging and intended to appeal to a wide range of people and interests.
“Whilst the Shetland Museum has long held talks throughout the year, we hope that by establishing it as a regular feature in the calendar it will resonate with the public as something to look out for.
“We’ve had a fantastic response to our events at the museum and we have seen that there is a keen interest for people to get out, socialise and learn something new. We look forward to welcoming everyone along.”
A small exhibition, Looking in from the Edge, opens in the museum upper gallery next week too, highlighting the part Shetland played in the trade of Northern Europe from 1500 to 1720.
The first three talks are:
- The Last Days of the German Trade in Shetland and the Origins of a Shetland Merchant Class, 1697 -1712 with Brian Smith – Thursday 7 March
- Aboot da Nicht: Shetlandic and Nordic Folklore about Darkness and Sleep with Carol Christiansen – Thursday 21 March
- Arctic Connections – highlights from the 2024 St Magnus Conference with Brian Smith, Carol Christiansen, Mark Smith and Jenny Murray – Thursday 25 April
Further ‘Thursday Lates’ will be announced soon. All talks are £5 and can be booked online.
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