John Kittmer
@johnkittmer.bsky.social
280 followers 170 following 310 posts
Greek literature and culture | Anglicanism | Pre-Raphaelites | Churches, abbeys, cathedrals | Poetry | School governor | Ex-ambassador | Enthusiast for Yorkshire
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johnkittmer.bsky.social
Day 1 of 10 intense Anglo-Greek days.

A talk by David McClay of @britschoolathens.bsky.social, hosted by John & Virginia Murray in the historic home of John Murray publishing: 50 Albemarle Street.

Here, Thos. Phillips’s great painting of Byron, above the fireplace where his memoirs were burned.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Day #7 of the Anglo-Greek pilgrimage. Books & art. Caved into temptation at Politeia bookshop. Then the wonderful #Goulandris Gallery. An astonishing private collection, open to the public. Much French and, of course, Greek art. But Mr and Mrs G found space in their lives for #Bacon and #Hepworth
Reposted by John Kittmer
handhyorkshire.bsky.social
Following on from the last post, this is the other existing crown. The 'Crown of an English Queen' (the "Bohemian" or "Palatine" crown. It is s recorded in England in a list of jewels and plate drawn up in 1399. It probably belonged to King Edward III or Anne of Bohemia, the wife of Richard II, who
 The 'Crown of an English Queen' (the "Bohemian" or "Palatine" crown. It is s recorded in England in a list of jewels and plate drawn up in 1399. It probably belonged to King Edward III or Anne of Bohemia, the wife of Richard II,
Reposted by John Kittmer
archbishopofyork.org
Looking forward to delivering the annual Lastingham Lecture at St Mary’s Church on Sunday 26 October.

Starting with Evensong at 4pm, all are welcome.

The title of my lecture is Formed in order to be sent: Learning from Cedd about discipleship and mission.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
It’s wonderful to read writers in their own hand. Ritsos writes in a precise, beautiful calligraphic style—it’s easy to read even when he’s in a hurry. Stangos’s hand, by contrast, is often battling with his thoughts—the handwriting gets progressively worse when he’s impassioned or impatient.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Day #6 of my Anglo-Greek adventures. Back at the #Benaki’s historical archives, completing my examination of the Ritsos-Stangos correspondence. Two excellent books of translations by #Stangos of #Ritsos’s work emerged from often angry correspondence—conducted in very different styles of handwriting.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Day #4 of my Anglo-Greek decameron. Having reached #Athens yesterday, I spent the day in the wonderful historical archives of the always hospitable #Benaki Museum, exploring #YannisRitsos’s collaboration with #NikosStangos and #PenguinBooks.
Reposted by John Kittmer
lhellenicprize.bsky.social
We have a shortlist for this year's LHP! Five exceptional works, each a must-read in its own right. If you're interested in all things Hellenic- the language, literature, or the history- these should hit your 'to read' list asap (unless they're already on it!). Here they are:
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Day #2 of my ten Anglo-Greek days. A great morning at the 9th Greek-British Symposium, in #Cambridge, where I heard a thought-provoking keynote by Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Dendias, and a stimulating if gloomy panel discussion on geo-political trends.
Reposted by John Kittmer
carinr.bsky.social
This is the feast of Paulinus, Bishop of York, d. 644. 🕯️ Though the extensive Paulinus material is in Bede, I realized we've never looked at the sole surviving MS of the Anonymous of Whitby's Life of Gregory the Great, St. Gall 567. Here's the passage about the baptism of Edwin from that text.
St. Gall, Stiftsbibliothek, MS 567, p. 88
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Day 1 of 10 intense Anglo-Greek days.

A talk by David McClay of @britschoolathens.bsky.social, hosted by John & Virginia Murray in the historic home of John Murray publishing: 50 Albemarle Street.

Here, Thos. Phillips’s great painting of Byron, above the fireplace where his memoirs were burned.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Quite right. I cycled there from Cambridge in a strong headwind in 1986. Only a quarter of your hypothetical 80 miles, but I remember with pellucid clarity the gradual emergence of the great cathedral-ship at sail above the Fens—and I haven’t forgotten the headwind either!
Reposted by John Kittmer
fotofacade.bsky.social
I think I'd cycle 80 miles in a headwind to see Ely Cathedral. No other cathedral feels so organically grown from the earth itself - it's lantern tower is one of the most verdant wonders of the medieval world. #thread
Ely Cathedral’s octagon and spires rise above the town’s tiled rooftops, their weathered stone and intricate pinnacles catching morning light beneath a pale blue Fenland sky.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
This is a good piece. A new balance is needed between private capital and public authority / regulation / planning. But these remain hyperliberal times. The economic paradigm hasn’t much shifted in 45 years. Silicon Valley + Trump + China engage in brazen imperialism. What hope for a new consensus?
Reposted by John Kittmer
anglohellenic.bsky.social
The 2026 Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award is about to launch! We'll be back with further details very soon.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
I’m chairing an open event at @kingsartshums.bsky.social on 18 May, which will look at the new bio (and other new books on Cavafy). Will probably not write abt the bio till then (unless I do!).
Reposted by John Kittmer
thegardenvsw.bsky.social
Its autumn colouring is no less sensational but somehow one does not notice it so readily because the October leafage of the forest trees—oak, beech and chestnut—still hangs so heavily green around it that it can be observed only close up or at a vista-cut of a distance. #gardening
Reposted by John Kittmer
royalhistsoc.org
This week, the Society's President Lucy Noakes wrote in response to Bridget Phillipson's Labour conference speech - and its implications for history and the humanities in UK higher education bit.ly/3KBX7Fw

#Skystorians
Image of badges with logo 'I know the value of history' and text 'The value and provision of history and the humanities: it's time for a political response.'
Reposted by John Kittmer
thesjt.bsky.social
Our Director Emeritus #AlanAyckbourn was presented with @theabtt.bsky.social Stephen Joseph Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to the development of UK theatre-in-the-round.

📸 Liz Sillett, ABTT CEO, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Bob Millington, Stephen Joseph Committee Chair
Reposted by John Kittmer
simoninsuffolk.bsky.social
St Michael on Henry Shelmerdine's bronze Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway WWI War Memorial at Victoria Station, Manchester, unveiled on 14 February 1922.

The scene depicts Revelation 12:7, 'and there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels'.
Reposted by John Kittmer
tovimagr.bsky.social
MasterChef UK, which has been airing for over 20 years and is broadcast annually in more than 200 countries worldwide, including Greece
Argiro Barbarigou Introduces Greek Gastronomy to Millions on MasterChef UK - tovima.com
ebx.sh
Reposted by John Kittmer
roguestrands.bsky.social
By chance, this was on my bedside table right now. R.I.P. Tony Harrison...
johnkittmer.bsky.social
Very sad news. A great poet, a great classicist. A lovely man. RIP indeed.
johnkittmer.bsky.social
The great west door at #Salisbury Cathedral. Thirteenth-century elegance, with fine Victorian statuary.

#aDoorableThursday