University to host a week of First World War commemoration events

The University of St Andrews is hosting a major series of events to mark the centenary of the First World War as part of the wider WW100 Scotland and United Kingdom commemorations.

The Home Front: The United Kingdom 1914 – 1918 will be held from 18 – 23 June 2018 and feature exhibitions, cinema, music and public lectures devoted to the mobilisation of British society as a whole, an achievement that had a major role in winning the war.

Among the highlights of the week is a public talk by award-winning children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo to an audience of school children followed by a workshop.

Other events, all of which are open to the public, include:

•           A public debate on the topic ‘What does remembrance mean today?’ with host Sir Hew Strachan, Professor of International Relations at St Andrews, Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18NOW, the First World War Centenary Cultural Programme, and Birdsong author Sebastian Faulks.

•           An evening at the cinema 1918: a screening of contemporary First World War factual films from the archives of the Imperial War Museum with piano accompaniment from Stephen Horne.

•           A unique portrait of the First World War battlefields: Fields of Battle – Lands of Peace 14-18 is a powerful outdoor photographic exhibition by Michael Sheil.

•           A series of lectures on topics ranging from conscription to the role of the royal family, and from pacifism to the role of the press and propaganda.

‌Event host eminent military historian Professor Sir Hew Strachan said:

“The centenary of the First World War has been a massive success, with tremendous public engagement.  So far, however, all the commemorative national events have focused on battles. This is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices and efforts made by those who stayed at home.

“The war required the mobilisation of society as a whole, regardless of class, gender or age. The week’s events will highlight what the ‘home front’ – itself a phrase coined during the First World War – achieved in 1914-18, with effects that continue to resonate to this day.”

The Home Front: The United Kingdom 1914 – 1918 is supported by the Scottish Government and the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

Visit The Home Front webpage for the full programme and online booking for community events.

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS/INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Professor Sir Hew Strachan is available for interview via the Communications Office – contact Steve Bargeton on 01334 467310, 01334 462530, 07802 376 860 or [email protected].

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office.