Creative writing festival 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pmJoin us at our first ever Creative Writing festival at...
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Join us at University of Gloucestershire for a series of talks and discussions about the festive season. Our academic experts will be covering a wide variety of topics across the week, taking a deep dive into our winter traditions and how they have evolved over time.
This event is open to school and college groups, as well as members of the public.
Early booking is recommended.
Dr Eleanor Higgs
For Christians and non-Christians alike, Christmas is a feminist issue. In this talk, Dr Eleanor Tiplady Higgs will discuss popular representations of women at Christmas. The familiar Christmas story of Jesus’ birth has perhaps surprising contemporary significance if we think of Mary as a cultural and mythic symbol of virgin, mother, and idealised womanhood. Indeed, the nativity has deep resonance for everyday feminist concerns about mothering, work, family, and care.
Professor Anne Goodenough
Winter can be an amazing time to watch wildlife, and many Yuletide events include an element of nature. Why do we have Christmas trees and wreaths? Why are robins such a prominent feature of Christmas cards? What is a Yule log? Why is Santa’s sleigh pulled by reindeer? What species are named after Christmas? This talk will explore the facts and fiction of winter wildlife at Christmas.
Dr Yvette Putra
We’ll explore how the intricate stonework, luminous stained glass, and soaring heights of the Gothic style changed the skyline and spirit of medieval Europe. Born in 12th-century France, this fusion of engineering brilliance and spiritual aspiration transformed architecture into visions of heaven on earth, leaving behind monuments that still inspire us today.
Kimberly Hall
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Or do they stress you out? Either way, you might find it useful to rethink the idea of New Year’s resolutions. I’m an illustrator who teaches about how we develop creative ideas, and I’ll be sharing some ways to ponder those resolutions that you might not have considered before.
Catherine Crampton
Kevin McCallister’s festive ingenuity has entertained audiences for decades – but what happens when his traps are examined through the eyes of the law? This session explores how Home Alone might play out in real life. Could Kevin’s actions amount to self-defence or something more serious? Might the burglars have a legal case of their own? Join us as we test movie magic against real-world legal principles and decide whether Kevin’s creativity makes him a hero… or a lawbreaker.
Helen Williams
This is a practical make and take session, with teaching about Christmas symbolism past and present and even contemplating Christmas symbols in the future. Wearing an old shirt or protective layer is advisable as we will be using washable printing inks that could get on clothing. Bring your Christmas spirit and festive ideas for a fun-packed and creative seminar.
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