General Election Live! Democracy Past and Present

Date: Thursday 7th May 2015

At the British Library from 18:00 until 20:00

Continuing at Kings Place from 20:30 until late

The 2015 General Election is shaping up to be the most exciting in decades, we would like to invite you to join the Knowledge Quarter for an evening of high drama as the election results come in from across the country.

Begin your evening at the British Library with exclusive access to the Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy exhibition and explore the document that has inspired some of today’s fundamental liberties. Then join us at Kings Place as the results come in and enjoy a late bar alongside activities and creative happenings from the Knowledge Quarter partners and friends, including:

Scriberia: Armed with pens and a surface to draw on, Scriberia’s illustrators will listen carefully, process what they hear, and draw their interpretation of the election results and commentary on the spot. www.scriberia.co.uk

British Library: Speed Lecture ‘Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Magna Carta’ by Julian Harrison the Curator of Pre-1600 Historical Manuscripts at the British Library and one of the lead curators on the Library’s critically-acclaimed ‘Magna Carta: Law, Liberty and Legacy’ exhibition.

Poet in the City: Poet in the City is putting poetry and politics in the spotlight, with two fantastic presentations from passionate voices. Historian Edith Hall takes us right to the heart of the idea of democracy, exploring the way poetry has engaged in politics throughout time. A whirwind tour from the ancient to the modern world, with one of our leading and most passionate historians.

Poet and performer Laila Sumpton then takes the stage with a spotlight on contemporary poetry which voices an opinion. Covering themes including censorship, transparency, and what might happen if we fail to vote at all, this is exciting new poetry that makes itself heard. Laila’s poems will be illustrated live on the night, bringing the visual and verbal into striking conversation.

Further information will be available shortly but don’t hesitate to book as we are expecting high demand!

Cost: Free, but booking essential

For booking click here.