The University of Glasgow enjoys very strong links with New Zealand, not least through its Principal, Sir Graeme Davies. The many long established connections, particularly with Waikato University, will be celebrated over two days full of activities.

Lively readings and scholarly papers. Poetry, music, film and art. Poets, writers, academics and historians. A programme of activities that will appeal to a wide-ranging audience ﾖ oh, and the chance to wash it all down with a nice glass of New Zealand Chardonnay.

A highlight on Friday evening will be the short opening talk by the Poet Laureate of Glasgow, Edwin Morgan, recollecting his visit to New Zealand in 1992 - when the University of Waikato gave him his only Southern Hemisphere Honorary Degree.

The final session will be chaired by Alan Riach, formerly Associate Professor of English at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, who now holds a Readership in the Department of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow. It will feature two speakers and open questions.

The Principal of Glasgow University, Professor Sir Graeme Davies, comes from New Zealand and has worked in the Sciences throughout his career - Professor Marshall Walker of the University of Waikato, comes from Glasgow and has worked in the Arts throughout his, especially in literature and music. Their experience and distinction will bring contrasting perspectives together with flair and foresight, ending the conference and opening a discussion that will, no doubt, continue.

Sir Graeme spoke of his involvement in the symposium, ' It is a genuine personal pleasure to be involved in this event. New Zealand and Scotland are intrinsic parts of my background and it is a delight to see such strong connections, between countries and universities worlds apart geographically, being celebrated in such a meaningful way.'

Over the course of the two days, many diverse and fascinating topics will be presented and questions asked. Professor Anne Crowther will introduce a curious connection and influence in the world of medicine, while poetry and fiction feature again with papers and readings from New Zealand-Scottish 'hybrids' such as Robyn Marsack, director of the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh and a New Zealander herself.

Jan Pilditch, biographer of the Glasgow novelist Catherine Carswell will discuss her work alongside that of her New Zealand contemporary Katherine Mansfield. Kirsty Findlay is a specialist in Children's Literature, but what does it mean to grow up reading poems and songs where the seasons are all the wrong way round? Lyell Cresswell will talk about his own work as a composer, celebrated in both countries - but what are the results of such counterpoint?

Alan commented, ' There's a lot New Zealand and Scotland might learn from each other. The basis of that is common ground, so we have gathered together a group of international experts from various disciplines - poetry and fiction, music, history, arts, sciences and university education. Presentations will be scholarly - but entertaining, I think.'

This free event will be complemented by an exhibition of paintings by New Zealand artist, Janet Williamson . Her 'Migrant Journey' works in oil, collage constructions and wire will be on display throughout the conference in the Carnegie Room. Peckhams and Esk Valley New Zealand Wines are kindly donating wines for a tasting event to round off the days' activities.

Please contact Lynda Perkins to reserve a place on 0141 330 2635 or l.perkins@englit.arts.gla.ac.uk

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Further information can be obtained from the University Press Office on 0141 330 3535.

Programme

Hosted by the University of Glasgow, 29-30 November 2002

Friday 29 November (evening)

6.30: Registration and Coffee

7.00: Welcome and Opening Remarks

7.10: Edwin Morgan: 'A Visit to the Other Side'

7.30: History: Ted Cowan, ?The Scots Imaging of New Zealand?

8.15: Wine reception.

Saturday 30 November

9.30: Tea & Coffee

10.00: Poetry: Gerrie Fellows, Robyn Marsack and Donald Fraser.

11.00: Tea & Coffee

11.30: Film: Duncan Petrie, ?Cinemas of Unease: Fear, Isolation and National Identity in Scottish and New Zealand Film?

12.15: History of Medicine: Anne Crowther, ?Radical Surgery in Later 19th-Century New Zealand ? the Scottish Connection?

12.40: Children's Literature: Kirsty Findlay, 'A New Zealand Child's Garden of Verses'

1.05: Lunch (own arrangements)

2.30: Music: Lyell Cresswell: ?Composing Here and There?

3.00: Comparative Literature: Jan Pilditch, ?Catherine Carswell and Katherine Mansfield?

3.30: Tea & Coffee

4.00: Plenary session: ?Sciences, Arts and the University: a New Zealander in Scotland, a Scot in New Zealand?: Graeme Davies & Marshall Walker, ?On a Clear Day You Can See Lismore? ? Chair: Alan Riach

5.00: Closing remarks and wine tasting.

First published: 22 November 2002