Series summary

Portsmouth tends to be associated with the history of the Navy, and there is a mistaken perception that it is a monocultural city. With its lectures, walk, workshop, exhibition and readings on migration, ‘Port city: narratives of migration’ aims to dispel this notion.

Drinking tea to escape the noise of the world | Friday 13 November

The event starts with a presentation of the ‘Tea Project’ exhibition exploring aspects of the personal, political and collective histories related to the tea trade and migration. This will be followed by a talk on tea trade and migration by Portsmouth’s own local tea merchant.

Portsmouth sailortown walk | Saturday 14 November

This walk will explore the unique culture and representation of three sailortowns of Portsmouth that evolved between the 18th and early 20th centuries.

Engaging with the past: migration memories | Tuesday 17 November

A special guest lecture by Eithne Nightingale (Queen Mary University London) on her research into ‘migration museums’ in port towns, followed by a reading and discussion group on the theme of ‘migration museums’.

Reviving the Crescent: Portsmouth connects with Asia | Wednesday 18 November

Presenting a very different narrative, creative and cultural industries lecturer Tom Sykes will discuss Portsmouth’s role as a global city with close cultural and literary connections to Asia. After the lecture, British-Asian writers will read from their work about their experience of migration, integration and cultural encounter.

Exploring Walter Besant’s ‘By Celia’s Arbour’ | Saturday 21 November

A creative writing workshop led by Dr Alison Habens will take place in Milldam Building, where the novel ‘By Celia’s Arbour: A Tale of Portsmouth Town’ is set, and will end with a guided walk.

Series’ programme here