It will be the centenary of Dame Muriel Spark’s birth on 1 February 2018 when her life and work will be celebrated as one of Scotland’s finest authors. Perhaps best known for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, she also wrote poetry and biography.
The National Library of Scotland and Creative Scotland have announced that a special post will be established to organise a programme of literary events, and recruitment has just begun. The Muriel Spark Centenary Co-ordinator will be at the centre of the celebrations.
Centenary events will include
- a major exhibition of Spark’s work at the National Library of Scotland which holds her voluminous archive,
- documentaries for BBC Two Scotland and BBC Four TV,
- an international academic conference at the University of Glasgow,
- publication of new editions of key texts,
- a special edition of Scottish Review of Books
- an exhibition from the Muriel Spark Society
- a large scale public event presented by the Edinburgh International Book Festival
Funded by Creative Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, this exciting and rewarding role is testament to the collective will to raise Dame Muriel’s profile, her work, and her legacy. The Muriel Spark Centenary Co-ordinator will play a crucial part in making the centenary celebrations something truly memorable.
Colin McIlroy, Muriel Spark Project Curator, National Library of Scotland commented: “Dame Muriel Spark was a Scots born writer with a huge international reputation and it is very fitting that Scotland should honour her achievements in her centenary year. We are very fortunate to hold her archive which is one of the most comprehensive records of a writer’s life ever assembled. Highlights from it will be able to be seen in our forthcoming exhibition.”
Jenny Niven, Head of Literature, Languages and Publishing at Creative Scotland said: “The centenary of Dame Muriel Spark’s is both a landmark moment and an unparalleled opportunity to permanently influence the way in which this leading figure of Scotland’s cultural history features in the public imagination.
“Alongside today’s announcement, we’re keen to hear from writers and artists, groups and organisations with work in development or who are proposing to mark the Centenary in some way.
“This will offer us better idea of the scope and the scale of activity taking place, and will mean we can coordinate and collaborate with everyone taking part to best effect. If you have plans, please contact us at literature@creativescotland.com with an outline of your initial proposals. We look forward to working with you.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
