Tag Archives: Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare 23 April 2021

“I would I had some flowers of the spring” Today, 23 April, is William Shakespeare’s Birthday. I’ve already been down to Holy Trinity Church where he was baptised and buried to leave a little posy of spring flowers from my … Continue reading

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Remembering the Duke of Edinburgh in Stratford-upon-Avon

Today, 9 April 2021 we’ve all heard the sad news that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh has died aged 99. He’s been one of the most recognizable figures in public life for as long as any of us can … Continue reading

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Living statues and literary pageants: Shakespeare’s Birthday 2018

This weekend Shakespeare’s 454th birthday will be celebrated in the town of his birth, as it has been for nearly two centuries. While there are elements of the Birthday that have become traditional, almost every year the organisers add new … Continue reading

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Shakespeare and St George in Stratford-upon-Avon

23rd April is celebrated as the special day of St George, the patron saint of England. He’s one of the most popular of saints, venerated in Romania,  parts of Greece, Catalonia and Egypt, among many other places. Perhaps because of … Continue reading

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A new chapter in the history of Shakespeare’s Celebrations

I’ve spent much of the past year or so researching the history of the celebrations of Shakespeare’s birth in Stratford-upon-Avon.  It’s a long and complicated story with its origins in the 1769 Garrick Jubilee, and I’m happy to report that after a few … Continue reading

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Celebrating 450: the Shakespeare legacy

As I write, we’re reaching the end of the celebrations for Shakespeare’s 450th anniversary. It’s an extraordinary record, and academic Jonathan Bate has recently written about Shakespeare’s status as universal cultural icon. Bate suggests that although the 1964 celebrations were large, they … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s baptism at 450

Saturday 26 April 2014 is the 450th Anniversary of the baptism of William Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. Doubts may be cast over his exact birthday, but there is no debate about the exact date on which he was … Continue reading

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Celebrating Shakespeare’s 450th in Stratford

So how do you celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday? The RSC are holding a fireworks display and on Saturday a day of events. The town is expecting bumper crowds on Saturday for its special parade, and for the first time in … Continue reading

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Shakespeare connections: Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham

During Shakespeare’s lifetime Birmingham was a town of a similar size to Stratford. But while Birmingham grew into a great centre of industry and innovation, Stratford remained a small country town. By 1851 nearly a quarter of a million people … Continue reading

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Lunching with Shakespeare: Stratford’s Birthday Celebrations

It’s recently been announced that Stratford’s traditional Birthday Luncheon for 500 people will not be held this year. It’s an event that has been part of the annual festivities for as long as I can remember. In fact celebrating Shakespeare’s … Continue reading

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