Extraordinary feats, extraordinary people - launch of The Edinburgh Lectures 2012 Series
Published Tuesday 17 January 2012
The Edinburgh Lectures 2012 series has announced one of its best ever line-ups to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this long running lecture programme.
Illustrious speakers such as Kate Adie, Lord
David Puttnam, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Olivia Giles are included in the
2012 series - which will celebrate those who have achieved the extraordinary in
their own field. Entitled 'Extraordinary Feats, Extraordinary
People', the series will feature thought-provoking and illuminating talks,
during a year in which many in the sporting world will attempt to push the
boundaries of human endeavour. This anniversary programme will run from
February to June and will present a variety of subjects, from the achievements
of women in the field of astronomy, or being woken from a coma to be told your
hands and feet have been amputated, to dispelling the myths that forensic
anthropology is solely focused on identifying bones. The confirmed speakers are: The Rt Hon George Grubb, Lord Lieutenant and
Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said: "Since 1992, the Edinburgh Lectures
have provided a platform for prestigious speakers to address major public issues
in a national and international context. This year's theme will be a fantastic
opportunity to hear about the lives of those people who really have achieved
something remarkable. We're delighted to have created a stunning line-up of
speakers for a very special twentieth anniversary of the series." Olivia Giles OBE, will deliver the fourth
lecture of the series at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, entitled 'The Power
of Opportunity' and presented by Queen Margaret University. She said: "I am delighted to be speaking at
this year's very special twentieth anniversary series of the Edinburgh Lectures.
Achieving the extraordinary is something we credit to only a very few
individuals; however from past experience I have seen the potential and capacity
of ordinary people to achieve incredible feats when they have to - or really
want to. Being alive and receptive to the opportunities that present themselves
in everyday life, is the first step to finding the courage to grasp them and the
stamina to deliver on them." Previous Edinburgh Lectures have seen over
200 high calibre speakers from home and abroad provide insightful and
stimulating contributions. They have included Stephen Hawking, HRH The Princess
Royal, Mikail Gorbachev, Sir Jackie Stewart and First Minister Alex
Salmond. The Lectures are led by the City of
Edinburgh Council and presented in partnership with The University of Edinburgh,
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, The Open University in
Scotland, National Museums Scotland, Creative Scotland, The Scottish Government,
The Royal Society of Edinburgh and Queen Margaret University,
Edinburgh. Tickets can be booked: - online at www.usherhall.co.uk - in person at the Usher Hall Box Office,
Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EA - by telephone: 0131 228 1155, Monday -
Friday 10am - 5.30pm Full programme details can be accessed
through the link at the top of the release. The programme is also available on the Edinburgh Lectures blog.
This includes speakers' biographical details and information about the
venues. Follow the lecture series on Facebook
and Twitter. The Edinburgh Lectures 2012 Series takes
place during the Year of Creative Scotland, a chance to spotlight, celebrate and
promote Scotland's cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. For further
information about the year of Creative Scotland please visit: www.creativescotland.com/explore/2012-2014/year-of-creative-scotland-2012
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