ºù«Ӱҵ

The Being Human Festival is an annual celebration of the humanities, taking place across the UK. This year's theme is Landmarks - physical or metaphorical (or both), and how they shape our world.

ºù«Ӱҵ is joining in the festivities with a range of exciting events, detailed below.

Open everyday 10am to 4.30pm, 9-16 November

At Castleton Visitors Centre

A pop-up art exhibition/installation based on seldom-seen images from the extraordinary Peak District National Park photo archive. A Peak District Imaginarium will be co-created during hands-on creative workshops for the public over two weekends in Castleton Visitors Centre. Join artists Paul Evans and Jon Harrison, along with academics from ºù«Ӱҵ, for this free, spellbinding experience, employing the magic of AI to bring the past into the present and visualise potential futures.

Using advanced but easy to use image generating technology, archive slides and photos will be brought vividly to life based on participant¡¯s prompts. Memories, questions and impressions ¨C recalled or inspired by these nostalgic, emotive and fascinating images ¨C will take exciting new forms in a contemporary version of ¡®scribing¡¯ or visioning. Using archive images from previous generations to capture present-day perceptions and imaginative depictions from local people and Peak District visitors, A Peak District Imaginarium will encourage curiosity, exploration, participation and a sense of collective ownership of this extraordinary landscape, its communities and heritage.

No booking required.

Wednesday 13 November, 6.30pm

At the ºù«Ӱҵ Tap

How have pubs changed ºù«Ӱҵ? Over the last three centuries, public houses in all shapes and sizes have influenced how the city has evolved as an industrial and post-industrial urban space. The pub as a place of community, socialising, entertainment, and more helped bring people together and make ºù«Ӱҵ the distinctive beer capital that it is today. With increasing numbers of closures, changing drinking habits, and the rise of ¡®craft¡¯ brewing, what lies ahead for these dynamic establishments? 

Join us at the ºù«Ӱҵ Tap for a night of discussion and debate on the history and future of the pub in our iconic city. With a panel of local publicans, alcohol producers, and beer enthusiasts, we¡¯ll be sharing and gathering stories of landmark pubs, and exploring the future of pubs. You¡¯ll also be invited to share your own experiences and memories of pubs and boozers in ºù«Ӱҵ and contribute to an ongoing project on the history of alcohol.

Thursday 14 November, 2pm

At ºù«Ӱҵ Archive

The history of the Jewish community in ºù«Ӱҵ goes back to the beginning of the 18th century. It produced a rich and vibrant heritage and culture which had a determining impact on the social, economic and cultural life of the city. T

his workshop will focus on urban spaces in ºù«Ӱҵ¡¯s city centre and their association with the community, using objects, documents, stories and soundscapes, to offer an immersive experience. It will introduce you to a website and a walking app that will take you through the streets of ºù«Ӱҵ¡¯s city centre, from Figtree Lane to West Bar Green, from Campo Lane and North Church Street to Silver Street and Lee Croft. As you walk, stories and sounds will be triggered through GPS technology to paint a picture of a time long past but one of crucial importance to the development of the Jewish community in ºù«Ӱҵ and of the city itself as a multicultural space. 

Saturday 16 November, 2pm

At Broomhall Community Centre 

Discover how Hong Kong's food culture, often mistakenly believed to be solely derived from Chinese cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai, has evolved through a complex interplay of local and Western influences. This event will delve into the historical development of Hong Kong¡¯s ¡°ice rooms (±ùÊÒ),¡± a blend of British-style tea houses, ice cream parlors, and traditional Cantonese tea houses, highlighting their role as social and cultural landmarks.

Explore the nuanced history and flavors that define Hong Kong's culinary landscape, and learn how the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK is preserving and adapting these traditions with locally available ingredients. This participatory event is a celebration of cultural exchange, community heritage, and the enduring legacy of Hong Kong¡¯s gastronomic landmarks.