John Kittmer
@johnkittmer.bsky.social
Greek literature and culture | Anglicanism | Pre-Raphaelites | Churches, abbeys, cathedrals | Poetry | School governor | Visiting professor | Ex-ambassador | Enthusiast for Yorkshire
Pinned
Brilliant to get @mptmagazine.bsky.social’s latest issue focusing on the poetry of Greece and Cyprus. Since its foundation in the mid-1960s by Ted Hughes & Daniel Weissbort, MPT has been hugely important in bringing Greek poetic voices to an English-speaking readership. Great that this continues.
Reposted by John Kittmer
Late 11th-century katholikon of Kaisariani Monastery on Mount Hymettos on the outskirts of Athens
December 2, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Late 11th-century katholikon of Kaisariani Monastery on Mount Hymettos on the outskirts of Athens
Reposted by John Kittmer
The Royal Station Hotel, Ferensway, Hull. Philip Larkin was, as the plaque outside the hotel reminds us, a 'regular' for lunch. However, his poem imagines the hotel on a Friday night, perhaps when he was sitting alone awaiting the arrival of his lover Monica Jones on a train from Leicester. 1/3
December 2, 2025 at 8:03 AM
The Royal Station Hotel, Ferensway, Hull. Philip Larkin was, as the plaque outside the hotel reminds us, a 'regular' for lunch. However, his poem imagines the hotel on a Friday night, perhaps when he was sitting alone awaiting the arrival of his lover Monica Jones on a train from Leicester. 1/3
Brilliant to get @mptmagazine.bsky.social’s latest issue focusing on the poetry of Greece and Cyprus. Since its foundation in the mid-1960s by Ted Hughes & Daniel Weissbort, MPT has been hugely important in bringing Greek poetic voices to an English-speaking readership. Great that this continues.
December 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Brilliant to get @mptmagazine.bsky.social’s latest issue focusing on the poetry of Greece and Cyprus. Since its foundation in the mid-1960s by Ted Hughes & Daniel Weissbort, MPT has been hugely important in bringing Greek poetic voices to an English-speaking readership. Great that this continues.
Reposted by John Kittmer
November 30, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by John Kittmer
Tom Stoppard, grand dramaturge britannique, scénariste de « Brazil » et « Shakespeare in Love », est mort à l’âge de 88 ans
Tom Stoppard, grand dramaturge britannique, scénariste de « Brazil » et « Shakespeare in Love », est mort à l’âge de 88 ans
Originaire de Tchécoslovaquie, qu’il avait fuie à l’arrivée des nazis, Tom Stoppard était l’un des plus fameux dramaturges britanniques.
www.lemonde.fr
November 29, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Tom Stoppard, grand dramaturge britannique, scénariste de « Brazil » et « Shakespeare in Love », est mort à l’âge de 88 ans
Reposted by John Kittmer
Going to Athens tomorrow for a reading & discussion of ‘The Strongbox’ @carcanet.bsky.social for the Anglo-Hellenic League & looking forward to a glimpse of the city.
November 29, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Going to Athens tomorrow for a reading & discussion of ‘The Strongbox’ @carcanet.bsky.social for the Anglo-Hellenic League & looking forward to a glimpse of the city.
Reposted by John Kittmer
'It is the best anthology of new work that I’ve read in years; anyone with an interest in contemporary British poetry should read it.' - Billy Mills
Last few copies of 'The Footing': our first (and, to date, only) anthology (unlikely to be reprinted)
thefooting.wordpress.com
Last few copies of 'The Footing': our first (and, to date, only) anthology (unlikely to be reprinted)
thefooting.wordpress.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
'It is the best anthology of new work that I’ve read in years; anyone with an interest in contemporary British poetry should read it.' - Billy Mills
Last few copies of 'The Footing': our first (and, to date, only) anthology (unlikely to be reprinted)
thefooting.wordpress.com
Last few copies of 'The Footing': our first (and, to date, only) anthology (unlikely to be reprinted)
thefooting.wordpress.com
The Church’s year draws to a close, with what is known in English tradition as “Stir-up Sunday” and is widely celebrated now as the Feast of Christ the King. Here the collect for the day and an icon of Christ as King of Kings.
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The Church’s year draws to a close, with what is known in English tradition as “Stir-up Sunday” and is widely celebrated now as the Feast of Christ the King. Here the collect for the day and an icon of Christ as King of Kings.
Reposted by John Kittmer
A post on the practice of Saint Cecilia's Day sermons in the late 17thC and early 18thC Church of England. These sermons delighted in the gift of music and rejoiced in the Anglican choral tradition.
laudablepractice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ther...
laudablepractice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ther...
'There is in Musick something of Divinity': the Anglican choral tradition and late 17th/early 18th century sermons for Saint Cecilia's Day
This being the Day which Custom has devoted to celebrate the Decency of Cathedral service, to set forth its Usefulness, to convince the Gain...
laudablepractice.blogspot.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A post on the practice of Saint Cecilia's Day sermons in the late 17thC and early 18thC Church of England. These sermons delighted in the gift of music and rejoiced in the Anglican choral tradition.
laudablepractice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ther...
laudablepractice.blogspot.com/2025/11/ther...
Reposted by John Kittmer
Me n my gal Anna selling STEALING DADs @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social yesterday.
Generous host Prof Gonda Van Steen.
@johnkittmer.bsky.social (former UK ambassador to Greece w/Yorkshire soul of a Greek poet) made the interview brilliant fun.
Thanks Kevin Featherstone & everyone who came. 🧡🩷🧡
Generous host Prof Gonda Van Steen.
@johnkittmer.bsky.social (former UK ambassador to Greece w/Yorkshire soul of a Greek poet) made the interview brilliant fun.
Thanks Kevin Featherstone & everyone who came. 🧡🩷🧡
November 20, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Me n my gal Anna selling STEALING DADs @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social yesterday.
Generous host Prof Gonda Van Steen.
@johnkittmer.bsky.social (former UK ambassador to Greece w/Yorkshire soul of a Greek poet) made the interview brilliant fun.
Thanks Kevin Featherstone & everyone who came. 🧡🩷🧡
Generous host Prof Gonda Van Steen.
@johnkittmer.bsky.social (former UK ambassador to Greece w/Yorkshire soul of a Greek poet) made the interview brilliant fun.
Thanks Kevin Featherstone & everyone who came. 🧡🩷🧡
Reposted by John Kittmer
Sunset. -1°C and an icy sky. Mistle Thrush.
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Sunset. -1°C and an icy sky. Mistle Thrush.
Very much looking forward to being in conversation tomorrow at the Centre for Hellenic Studies with the wonderful @sofkazinovieff.bsky.social, discussing her long engagement with Greece and her writing abt it, particularly her exhilarating latest novel “Stealing Dad”. Join us! Details below.
Our next event will be at Kings College London on Wednesday 19th November. Acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff will discuss her latest book, Stealing Dad, fictional but based on her family's experience when her father died.
Book your place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
See you there!
Book your place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
See you there!
November 18, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Very much looking forward to being in conversation tomorrow at the Centre for Hellenic Studies with the wonderful @sofkazinovieff.bsky.social, discussing her long engagement with Greece and her writing abt it, particularly her exhilarating latest novel “Stealing Dad”. Join us! Details below.
Reposted by John Kittmer
Inside the Roman Catholic chapel at Biddlestone in Northumberland is an intriguing remnant from life on the home front during the Second World War.
1/6
1/6
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Inside the Roman Catholic chapel at Biddlestone in Northumberland is an intriguing remnant from life on the home front during the Second World War.
1/6
1/6
A lovely window for #stainedglassSunday by Harry Harvey at St Mary’s #Brandesburton, #Yorkshire. The parable of the seed that fell on stony ground.
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
A lovely window for #stainedglassSunday by Harry Harvey at St Mary’s #Brandesburton, #Yorkshire. The parable of the seed that fell on stony ground.
Reposted by John Kittmer
2/3 The Crucifixion, the most complete panel of the late medieval glass originally at Tattershall, now in St Martin, Stamford, Lincolnshire. #StainedGlassSunday
November 9, 2025 at 8:12 AM
2/3 The Crucifixion, the most complete panel of the late medieval glass originally at Tattershall, now in St Martin, Stamford, Lincolnshire. #StainedGlassSunday
Reposted by John Kittmer
In tribute to the late Tony Harrison, BBC Radio 4 will be rebroadcasting this 2013 feature on v., his controversial long poem. Tony Harrison read the poem in full, and writer Blake Morrison discussed the poem's impact.
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - Artworks, v. by Tony Harrison
The controversial poem by Tony Harrison, to mark his death.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
In tribute to the late Tony Harrison, BBC Radio 4 will be rebroadcasting this 2013 feature on v., his controversial long poem. Tony Harrison read the poem in full, and writer Blake Morrison discussed the poem's impact.
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Reposted by John Kittmer
What is your favourite bird?
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
What is your favourite bird?
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
Reposted by John Kittmer
Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)
Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)
www.kathimerini.gr
November 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)
Much enjoyed this highly innovative and stylistically poised novel, “Brandy Sour”, about the #Cyprus problems, by #ConstantiaSoteriou in an elegant translation by #LinaProtopapa. It focuses on the #LedraPalace Hotel, caught now in the Green Zone between the 1974 lines. Recommended!
November 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Much enjoyed this highly innovative and stylistically poised novel, “Brandy Sour”, about the #Cyprus problems, by #ConstantiaSoteriou in an elegant translation by #LinaProtopapa. It focuses on the #LedraPalace Hotel, caught now in the Green Zone between the 1974 lines. Recommended!
This is wonderful news. Congratulations to @edithmayhall.bsky.social and @lhellenicprize.bsky.social for this well deserved recognition of a powerful, moving and revelatory book.
We're very proud to announce the winner of this year's prize: Edith Hall's compelling & insightful 'Facing Down the Furies: Suicide, the Ancient Greeks, and Me' (Yale UP). A brilliant, moving book for experts & general readers alike - congratulations @edithmayhall.bsky.social @yalebooks.bsky.social!
November 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This is wonderful news. Congratulations to @edithmayhall.bsky.social and @lhellenicprize.bsky.social for this well deserved recognition of a powerful, moving and revelatory book.
Reposted by John Kittmer
A HUGE honour that philhellene, former UK ambassador to Greece Dr @johnkittmer.bsky.social will interview me @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Wed 19 Nov 6.30pm to discuss my latest novel STEALING DAD & Greece. Tickets free via eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
Stealing Dad: In conversation with Sofka Zinovieff
The renowned novelist discusses her latest book , which was inspired by incidents at the time of the death of her own father.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
A HUGE honour that philhellene, former UK ambassador to Greece Dr @johnkittmer.bsky.social will interview me @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Wed 19 Nov 6.30pm to discuss my latest novel STEALING DAD & Greece. Tickets free via eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
Reposted by John Kittmer
Doing this soon:
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Doing this soon:
Reposted by John Kittmer
OTD 27 October in 1728, James Cook was born in the village of Marton. At the age of 17 he was apprenticed to a grocer and haberdasher in Staithes. The call of the sea proved too strong however, and in summer 1746 he found a new apprenticeship with Quaker shipowners John
October 27, 2025 at 4:27 AM
OTD 27 October in 1728, James Cook was born in the village of Marton. At the age of 17 he was apprenticed to a grocer and haberdasher in Staithes. The call of the sea proved too strong however, and in summer 1746 he found a new apprenticeship with Quaker shipowners John
Reposted by John Kittmer
BIG ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS! 💫
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
October 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM
BIG ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS! 💫
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
