25 February 2010

Saturday Evening Lecture Series continues with an Arctic journey

Smashing through the Arctic Ocean on a Russian icebreaker, herding reindeer, and shadowing the Trans-Alaskan pipeline are just some of the episodes to be relived in the next instalment of the University of Dundee’s Saturday Evening Lecture Series.

Acclaimed author Sara Wheeler will recount the experiences of a series of circumpolar journeys she made whilst researching her latest book The Magnetic North when she delivers the latest instalment of the popular series next Saturday.

In her powerful and funny talk - entitled 'Tips About Icebergs: An Arctic Journey' Sara will uncover the beautiful, brutal reality of the Arctic and ponder on its past as well as its future.

Sara says the Dundee event will focus on all aspects of her journey around the Arctic region - what she saw, the unusual activities she took part in, the people she met, and how it differed to the Antarctic, where she had previously spent time for research purposes.

'It’s essentially a portrait of the circumpolar north,' she explained. 'I'm more of a writer than a traveller and will be looking at how the Arctic is represented in art, the current state of the Arctic, which obviously touches upon climate change, the scenery and the people.

'The things that stand out are being with Russian sailors in an ice-breaker in the far north, being with reindeer herders in Norway, following the pipeline with truckers and other places like Greenland, which most people never get the chance to see.'

Respected commentators including Michael Palin, Will Self and Ian Wilson named The Magnetic North as their Book of the Year and one review noted that 'Wheeler writes about travel so well because she delights in travelling. Her adventurous spirit, tireless intelligence, joy and wit shine through even the saddest pages of The Magnetic North... She has a rare and precious talent.'

The popular Saturday Evening Lecture Series - now in its 86th year - is Scotland's oldest continuous free public lecture series, and attracts thousands of people each year to hear from prestigious, world-class speakers.

'Tips About Icebergs: An Arctic Journey' takes place at the University’s Dalhousie Building from 6pm on Saturday, March 6th. A drinks reception and book signing will follow the event, for which overflow theatres may be in use.

This lecture is being held as part of International Women’s Day Celebrations.

Free tickets are available from the University’s Tower Reception and Events Office, by calling 01382 385564, emailing events@dundee.ac.uk or visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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