Happy 200th Birthday Charles Dickens!

Yes, the late great Charles Dickens, Victorian novelist and social commentator extraordinaire, turned the ripe old age of 200 on February 7 this year. He's looking good for his age - there are a number of events being held worldwide to commemorate this milestone (and to coincide with the London Olympics and increased tourist traffic - but this is not a bad thing!).

You can find information about events, exhibitions, etc. at the official Dickens 2012 site.

The Picks
These are the highlights, AKA my own personal wishlist if I had a private jet and carte blanche:

• The actor Simon Callow, who is releasing his own book about Dickens (Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World) and has performed a one man Dickens show (The Mystery of Charles Dickens), will be speaking on Wednesday, February29, at the Museum of London
• UCL will be hosting a Dickens's London evening at their Bloomsbury campuse on March 15
• My good friend, Ben Winyard, will see his hard work come to fruition when the University of Buckingham officially launches the ambitious but amazing Dickens Journals Online digital project from March 28-31
• Some place called Simpich, Colorado Springs, USA is hosting a "lavish two-part" Dickens Festival from June 26-December 31 (whew!)
• Charles Dickens: Legacy and Life exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London (my favourite gallery ever!), until April 22
• The Dickens and London exhibition at the Museum of London until June 10

I'm sure there are many more which I have neglected to mention.

Miriam Margolyes' Dicken's Women touring Australia
Most excitingly (if that's a word), Miriam Margolyes is currently touring her much-lauded one woman Dickens' Women show around Australia as part of the Dickens's birthday festivities. Make sure you get along if you can - I've got tickets and can't wait! To whet your appetitie, here is a sneak preview on YouTube - Margolyes is delightful.

"The Best of Times..."

...to start blogging again! Yes, the new school year is up and running and, as I have not blogged here since May last year (!), I felt it was high time that I did.

Twenty Twelve is shaping up to be an exciting year for Anglophiles (as well as English and History teachers), as it is London's year to host the Olympics, the Queen's diamond jubilee and Charles Dickens's 200th birthday.

It is also the first year of implementation of the new Australian Curriculum, and it will be interesting to hear how Australian teachers have been rising to the challenges of change, something which we all do so well!

So stay tuned for more posts on great events and resources for teachers this year. And, to echo the great Dickens, may 2012 be the best of times, not the worst of times, the age of wisdom, the season of Light and the spring of hope.*

* from A Tale of Two Cities, of course!