Diary for 19th March to 25th March 2009

THURSDAY 19th March - Cultural Tourism

For those of you interested in cultural heritage, regeneration and tourism development, Leeds Metropolitan University has developed a new MA in Cultural Tourism. The Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change is providing an innovative Masters which includes a wide range of modules from the structures and dynamics of international tourism, to the role of museums, festivals and cultural events. Students on the course will have the opportunity to work on a 'live' case study relating to the cultural sector and develop their ideas, knowledge and research skills. For more information on the MA visit this website, or email Dr. Philip Long at: culturaltourism@leedsmet.ac.uk



FRIDAY 20th March- Mystic Healing and Self Discovery

What would happen if we tried to learn from shamans ( mystics and healers of indigenous communities) and applied their age-old techniques to our lives today? Anthropologist Susan Greenwood, has studied and written several books on altered state of consciousness and shamanic consciousness. She will be teaching a course called Experiencing Shamanic Consciousness at the University of Sussex in the summer, where participants (through reflection, discussion, painting and movement) will explore shamanic traditions and the ways in which certain techniques help to develop creative imagination and personal insights. Click here to find out more about the course. For a great overview of shamanism and what shamans do, take a look at this website.



SATURDAY 21st March- Iranian Photography Now


Today is the beginning of an exhibition of contemporary Iranian photography at Rose Issa's studio on 269 Kensington High Street. The exhibition demonstrates the works of 38 Iranian artists whose traditions, styles and techniques emerge from their various backgrounds and experiences living in Iran and abroad. The exhibition runs until 18 April and is open to the public by appointment from 1-6pm Tuesday to Saturday. For more information on the exhibit and to book your place email: info@roeissa.com or phone: 020 7602 7700.







SUNDAY 22nd March- Pop Idol in Afghanistan?!

Tonight I am going to go see a documentary called Afghan Star at the Curzon Renoir Theatre at the Brunswick Centre. The film is an exploration of a growing phenomenon in Afghanistan - Pop Idol. Over 2000 people are auditioning, many taking substantial risks in order to be part of a music contest which some Afghans see as going against religious and cultural traditions. The organisers believe that they can 'move people from guns to music', and already there are thousands of people voting in their favourite singers using their mobile phones. The film has won the World Cinema Audience and Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2009. For information about the film visit this website. Take a look here, for film times and ticket prices at Curzon.


MONDAY 23rd March- Internet Anthropology

For those of you who are interested in finding out about anthropological resources on the Internet, how to evaluate them and use them effectively, Dr. Hector Blackhurst has developed a great interactive website called the Internet Anthropologist. The website works as an online tutorial designed to self-teach ways to find anthropological websites, discover tools for searching the web and critically evaluating sources of information. Have a go and see how well you do!






TUESDAY 24th March- Are you an Activist Anthropologist?

Have you ever thought of what makes someone an activist? Is it their actions, attitudes, ideas or sayings? Richard H. Robbins along with his students from State University of New York, Plattsburg have created a website which includes an An Activist Anthropologist's Toolkit. The toolkit features knowledge, experience and training which anthropologists 'have' and which the website argues makes the discipline ideal for educating activists. Take a look and tell us what you think!





WEDNESDAY 25th March- Stories from the past

Tonight I am heading to The Foundling Museum to hear life stories of people who were former pupils at the Foundling Hospital. The Foundling Hospital was London's first home for abandoned children and functioned as such for 200 years before closing in 1956. The museum is now undergoing a two year oral history project (with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund) to collect the stories and experiences of the Foundling Hospital's former pupils. The evening will be an opportunity not only to examine the project as a case study for collecting oral histories, but also to engage with the pupils themselves. The programme starts at 7pm. Tickets are 8 pounds for adults and 5 pounds for concession. Visit this website for more information.