Cultural Geography Blog

Alongside the Radical Landscapes exhibition at the Tate Liverpool I have previously posted about, there is now another reason to visit the city this summer. The World Reimagined globes are arriving in the city as well. The Globes have been created by artists from LCR and across the UK, bringing the city to life with diverse experiences and creative styles. They include Ras Akyem, Bryony Benge-Abbott, Amy Bourbon, Fiona Compton, Nicola Constantina, Caroline Daly, Kimathi Donkor, Sumuyya Khader, Jioni Warner. A tenth Globe has been created by local artist Amber Akaunu, inspired by collaboration with local communities. Schools have also got involved, with approx 38 small globes being featured on the trail created by schools who have taken part in The World Reimagined learning programme this term. Plenty of interesting interactive content if you follow the links from the website. Plenty of cultural links.

A report on the possibility that the UK's cultural sites may lose their World Heritage listing. Liverpool Docks have already been delisted.

On the BBC NEWS website... CLICK TO VIEW Image by me...

Well, it is popular culture.... Interesting that as none of the UK teams have qualified for this tournament (it's Football by the way) the BBC and other broadcasters are making a lot of the fact that we have pockets of people from different countries living in the UK. There has been a push to support Poland by certain retailers, who are keen to sell products as they will miss out on the bonanza that occured in 2006. The cost could be as much as £2 billion in lost sales. Some local towns have links with certain places. The TIMES had a very useful article on Saturday looking at why some retailers are supporting certain countries: Two years ago the World Cup in Germany helped Tesco to sell more than half a million St George’s flags, 400,000 footballs and 50,000 two-pint glasses in the shape of the tournament’s trophy. This summer the supermarket is again draping its shelves in red and white: it is backing Poland. Tesco has brought in extra supplies of Polish snacks and beer at 15...

Thanks to a Scottish virtual colleague of mine for passing on her memories of her childhood in Liverpool. This is going to be something that will develop further, and I am grateful to Liz for this input. I would welcome any comments from readers who recognise the places mentioned here, or who had similar experiences (whether in Liverpool or not...) Liverpool reminiscences I was born in the Wirral in 1959 and remember spending time in Liverpool as a youngster in the 1960’s / early 70’s. Social activities Kardomah café – the only opportunity we had to eat out – beans on toast was real treat ! We occasionally travelled to shop in Liverpool – George Henry Lees ( now part of John Lewis) was the very posh department store. My mum always took us to use the toilets there because they were very clean ! Buildings I recall the RC cathedral being built and our first visit to what then was a very modern and unusual building no one had seen anything like it before. It was light an...

GA members can download additional TEACHING RESOURCES to complement the article in the Spring 2008 issue by Charles Rawding and Lucy Williams. However, they don't seem to be there at the moment... Update: the resources are there now... (3rd February)

Liverpool is the European Capital of Culture for 2008. There is a special event being held in Liverpool tonight to kick start the year. Liverpool shares the distinction with Stavanger , a rather nice city in Norway I spent a couple of weeks in as a student... many years ago. The BBC have produced a useful set of resources on the city, and a comparison between the 2 cities. There has been lots of coverage in the local press: thanks to Stephen Schwab for the information on that link. How is Liverpool likely to benefit ? Fits into the idea of rebranding the city too... I am looking to do a project where students in Liverpool exchange information with students at my school relating to cultural aspects and the changing nature of the town / city where they live. The Education Guardian published a very useful piece, with some good lesson ideas. I am grateful to those colleagues who have already volunteered to help via the posting on the SLN Forum. Thanks to those who have sent their memo...