Lewisham Libraries Cityread Events

We will be having a host of wonderful events across our libraries for CityRead  a free, annual reading club for London. The book this year is The Muse by Jesse Burton.   You can find extra copies of the book in our branches, on Overdrive and a free audio book to download from Audible using code CITYREAD18 .
The Muse opens in London 1967, where we meet Odelle Bastien, recently arrived from Trinidad and trying to make her way in a new country.  A new job at the Skelton Institute of Art brings a mysterious painting, and even more enigmatic colleague, into her life.  We are then transported to Spain, 1936, we meet Olive Schloss, and discover how the painting came into being, against the turbulent backdrop of Spain on the eve of war.

Lewisham CityRead Events

Discovering your African / Caribbean Roots with Paul Crooks
Saturday 12th May
Lewisham Library – 10.30am – 12.30pm
What secrets lie in your past? We’re delighted to welcome Paul Crooks, one of the UK's leading Black historians, back to Lewisham. Paul has traced his family history back two hundred years and can help you get started with uncovering your family history.
Jessie Burton
Spanish Poetry Reading Group
Wednesday 16th May–
Lewisham Library – 6pm – 7.30pm

A reading group where you don't need to do any preparation! Come and listen to Spanish poetry read in the original Spanish and then in English - explore the themes and immerse yourself in Spanish culture.

Caribbean Craft Fun
Saturday 19th May –
Lewisham Library – 2pm – 3pm
We're feeling inspired by the flowers and animals of Caribbean island life! Come and join in (For ages 5-9) Please bring your grown-up.


Magical History Tour

Thursday 24th May –
Lewisham Library – 6pm – 7.30pm

Experience the sights and sounds of Lewisham in the 1960s as we take a stroll down memory lane with Lewisham Library's own Chris Moore. This guided walk will start at Lewisham Library and draw on photographs and memorabilia from the Local History and Archives Service - and, of course, some big sounds from 1960s music.

Also throughout May…

Spanish Language Films
There will be a selection of Spanish language films being shown at Deptford and   New Cross Library
Lewisham’s Got Talent
You'd be amazed at what people around here can do! A beautiful display of work created by students at the Lewisham School of Art and Design, Adult Learning Lewisham.
Other libraries across London will also be having events in conjunction with this Reading Club.

Installation in the Idea Store Whitechapel

Taking Burton’s depictions of 1960s London and 1930s Spain as a starting point, a programme of events exploring The Muse’s themes of arrival, the creative process, art history and family secrets will take place across 26 London boroughs as well as in Slough, Reading and Luton, in libraries, and other venues. The festival centrepiece will be an interactive audio digital installation at Idea Store Whitechapel, where audiences will be invited into Odelle’s flat and Olive’s studio to discover the secrets of the mysterious painting at the heart of the novel, Rufina and the Lion. The installation will include immersive audio provided by Audible.