Emile Zola would say “J’Accuse” today
On this day in 1840 the French author Emile Zola was born. He was a prolific writer of novels, the best known being Therese Raquin and Germinal. Brought up in Provence and a friend of... Read More
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On This Day
with audio
April Fool’s Day – who cares ?
On this day people like to play tricks on each other. Nobody knows why – perhaps that’s what the attraction is. It seems to have started in the nineteenth century. In France they call it... Read More
Andrew Marvell survives the English Civil War
On this day in 1621 the English poet Andrew Marvell was born. He was a clever and educated man who managed successfully to steer his way through the difficult times of the Civil War, Cromwell... Read More
Poetry Blog
The New PCL Commonplace Book Has Arrived
The original book – Poetry Changes Lives – was inspired by the author’s commonplace book – that he was given at school. He has used... Read More
Poetry Therapy for the Inner Child
When Paul Gauguin painted his famous masterpiece ‘D’où Venons Nous / Que Sommes Nous / Où Allons Nous’ (Where Do We Come From, What... Read More
William Dalrymple, Historian, Presenter and Chronicler of Djinns, Jains and Jesus (and so much more)
The genial yet commanding figure of William Dalrymple has been a regular feature of the wonderfully unique Beyond Borders International Festival at Traquair House, Innerleithen... Read More