The Black Country Studies Centre is working with the University of Wolverhampton’s ArtsFest Online to bring you a season of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Festival of Britain and its impact here in the Black Country.
From 17th May, as part of our Discover the Black Country offer here at the Museum, Folkes Park is hosting the Festival of the Black Country – a mini celebration of the 1951 Festival of Britain.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Festival of Britain and some of its links to the Black Country, the Black Country Studies Centre are hosting a series of online talks, the first two of which are available to book now. The events will be running May-September so do continue to look out for them on our website and social media channels.
Thursday 13th May, 7pm-8pm
Revisiting ‘A Tonic to the Nation’ – Dr Jane Webb
In this first lecture ‘Revisiting a Tonic to the Nation’ Dr Jane Webb will introduce the Festival and set the scene for our summer of celebrations!
The Festival of Britain was opened to the public 70 years ago. Set in a landscape reverberating with post-war economic and social uncertainties, the event (scheduled from May to September of 1951) was intended to be a tonic to aid the nation’s recovery. This talk provides an introduction to the London site of the Festival of Britain and will explore the intentions of its organisers, a description of the South Bank exhibition and other venues in the capital, and the design language chosen for the Festival.
Monday 17th May, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Abram Games and the 1951 Festival of Britain – Naomi Games
On the 70th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain, Naomi Games will talk about the career of her father, renowned graphic designer Abram Games.
Abram Games won the competitions to design an emblem for the Festival and the Festival stamp. Naomi will give a personal view of her father’s working process, you will see his progressive designs alongside other items he created for the Festival, as well as cartoons and curiosities.
Post image courtesy of the Estate of Abram Games
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