John Kittmer
@johnkittmer.bsky.social
Greek literature and culture | Anglicanism | Pre-Raphaelites | Churches, abbeys, cathedrals | Poetry | School governor | Ex-ambassador | Enthusiast for Yorkshire
Pinned
Our next event will be at Kings College London on Wednesday 19th November. Acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff will discuss her latest book, Stealing Dad, fictional but based on her family's experience when her father died.
Book your place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
See you there!
Book your place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
See you there!
In discussion with
Yours Truly.
Yours Truly.
A lovely window for #stainedglassSunday by Harry Harvey at St Mary’s #Brandesburton, #Yorkshire. The parable of the seed that fell on stony ground.
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
A lovely window for #stainedglassSunday by Harry Harvey at St Mary’s #Brandesburton, #Yorkshire. The parable of the seed that fell on stony ground.
Reposted by John Kittmer
2/3 The Crucifixion, the most complete panel of the late medieval glass originally at Tattershall, now in St Martin, Stamford, Lincolnshire. #StainedGlassSunday
November 9, 2025 at 8:12 AM
2/3 The Crucifixion, the most complete panel of the late medieval glass originally at Tattershall, now in St Martin, Stamford, Lincolnshire. #StainedGlassSunday
Reposted by John Kittmer
In tribute to the late Tony Harrison, BBC Radio 4 will be rebroadcasting this 2013 feature on v., his controversial long poem. Tony Harrison read the poem in full, and writer Blake Morrison discussed the poem's impact.
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - Artworks, v. by Tony Harrison
The controversial poem by Tony Harrison, to mark his death.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
In tribute to the late Tony Harrison, BBC Radio 4 will be rebroadcasting this 2013 feature on v., his controversial long poem. Tony Harrison read the poem in full, and writer Blake Morrison discussed the poem's impact.
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Tune in at 11pm tonight, 6 Nov, or listen later.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Reposted by John Kittmer
What is your favourite bird?
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
What is your favourite bird?
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
Reposted by John Kittmer
Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)
Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)
www.kathimerini.gr
November 4, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)
Much enjoyed this highly innovative and stylistically poised novel, “Brandy Sour”, about the #Cyprus problems, by #ConstantiaSoteriou in an elegant translation by #LinaProtopapa. It focuses on the #LedraPalace Hotel, caught now in the Green Zone between the 1974 lines. Recommended!
November 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Much enjoyed this highly innovative and stylistically poised novel, “Brandy Sour”, about the #Cyprus problems, by #ConstantiaSoteriou in an elegant translation by #LinaProtopapa. It focuses on the #LedraPalace Hotel, caught now in the Green Zone between the 1974 lines. Recommended!
This is wonderful news. Congratulations to @edithmayhall.bsky.social and @lhellenicprize.bsky.social for this well deserved recognition of a powerful, moving and revelatory book.
We're very proud to announce the winner of this year's prize: Edith Hall's compelling & insightful 'Facing Down the Furies: Suicide, the Ancient Greeks, and Me' (Yale UP). A brilliant, moving book for experts & general readers alike - congratulations @edithmayhall.bsky.social @yalebooks.bsky.social!
November 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This is wonderful news. Congratulations to @edithmayhall.bsky.social and @lhellenicprize.bsky.social for this well deserved recognition of a powerful, moving and revelatory book.
Reposted by John Kittmer
A HUGE honour that philhellene, former UK ambassador to Greece Dr @johnkittmer.bsky.social will interview me @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Wed 19 Nov 6.30pm to discuss my latest novel STEALING DAD & Greece. Tickets free via eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
Stealing Dad: In conversation with Sofka Zinovieff
The renowned novelist discusses her latest book , which was inspired by incidents at the time of the death of her own father.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
A HUGE honour that philhellene, former UK ambassador to Greece Dr @johnkittmer.bsky.social will interview me @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Wed 19 Nov 6.30pm to discuss my latest novel STEALING DAD & Greece. Tickets free via eventbrite.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
Reposted by John Kittmer
Doing this soon:
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Doing this soon:
Reposted by John Kittmer
OTD 27 October in 1728, James Cook was born in the village of Marton. At the age of 17 he was apprenticed to a grocer and haberdasher in Staithes. The call of the sea proved too strong however, and in summer 1746 he found a new apprenticeship with Quaker shipowners John
October 27, 2025 at 4:27 AM
OTD 27 October in 1728, James Cook was born in the village of Marton. At the age of 17 he was apprenticed to a grocer and haberdasher in Staithes. The call of the sea proved too strong however, and in summer 1746 he found a new apprenticeship with Quaker shipowners John
Reposted by John Kittmer
BIG ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS! 💫
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
October 26, 2025 at 11:55 AM
BIG ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS! 💫
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
A new section of Hadrian’s Wall has been discovered! The furthest west bit found yet - and it is glorious! 🤩
Reported by the great WC21. Link to his full video here: youtu.be/VfVvl3A_sO4?...
#archaeology #history #Roman
Reposted by John Kittmer
Henry V - Speech - Eve of Saint Crispin's Day - HD
YouTube video by technicalmark
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 9:41 AM
In discussion with
Yours Truly.
Yours Truly.
Our next event will be at Kings College London on Wednesday 19th November. Acclaimed author Sofka Zinovieff will discuss her latest book, Stealing Dad, fictional but based on her family's experience when her father died.
Book your place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
See you there!
Book your place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stealing-d...
See you there!
October 24, 2025 at 3:11 PM
In discussion with
Yours Truly.
Yours Truly.
Reposted by John Kittmer
Autumn Lecture: 'Deciphering the Herculaneum papyri', by Professor Richard Janko
20 November, 6pm, Room G7, Senate House, London.
Come and join us - no booking needed! We will film the lecture and put it on our YouTube channel too. www.youtube.com/user/Helleni...
#ClassicsBluesky 🏺
20 November, 6pm, Room G7, Senate House, London.
Come and join us - no booking needed! We will film the lecture and put it on our YouTube channel too. www.youtube.com/user/Helleni...
#ClassicsBluesky 🏺
October 23, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Autumn Lecture: 'Deciphering the Herculaneum papyri', by Professor Richard Janko
20 November, 6pm, Room G7, Senate House, London.
Come and join us - no booking needed! We will film the lecture and put it on our YouTube channel too. www.youtube.com/user/Helleni...
#ClassicsBluesky 🏺
20 November, 6pm, Room G7, Senate House, London.
Come and join us - no booking needed! We will film the lecture and put it on our YouTube channel too. www.youtube.com/user/Helleni...
#ClassicsBluesky 🏺
Reposted by John Kittmer
In the latest RUSI Commentary, Charles Parton provides a critical analysis of the current Labour government's approach to China, arguing that the policy lacks clarity and consistency despite the stated goal of a long-term and strategic approach.
A Policy of Omertà on China Policy is No Longer Tenable
Clarity should be the complement to certainty in the UK’s approach to China.
www.rusi.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
In the latest RUSI Commentary, Charles Parton provides a critical analysis of the current Labour government's approach to China, arguing that the policy lacks clarity and consistency despite the stated goal of a long-term and strategic approach.
Reposted by John Kittmer
Reposted by John Kittmer
Reposted by John Kittmer
The intricate doorway into the wonderful 13th century Chapter House at Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire 🤩
October 19, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The intricate doorway into the wonderful 13th century Chapter House at Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire 🤩
I will never forget what it was to celebrate Holy Week and Easter in 1984 on the island of #Aegina. My current trip to Greece ended yesterday with a return to the island and calls on friends, living and dead.
October 19, 2025 at 5:17 AM
I will never forget what it was to celebrate Holy Week and Easter in 1984 on the island of #Aegina. My current trip to Greece ended yesterday with a return to the island and calls on friends, living and dead.
Reposted by John Kittmer
My tribute to Tony Harrison last week was to read his great, last, valedictory poem ‘Polygons’ at Delphi, where he started it.
October 9, 2025 at 4:20 PM
My tribute to Tony Harrison last week was to read his great, last, valedictory poem ‘Polygons’ at Delphi, where he started it.
Maria Komninou giving an excellent intro to the short retrospective of #IrenePapas at the Greek Film Archives in Athens. Tonight we saw her star in #Cacoyannis’s #Electra (1962): a magnetic performance in a great film of #Euripides’ tragedy.
October 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Maria Komninou giving an excellent intro to the short retrospective of #IrenePapas at the Greek Film Archives in Athens. Tonight we saw her star in #Cacoyannis’s #Electra (1962): a magnetic performance in a great film of #Euripides’ tragedy.
Day #7 of the Anglo-Greek pilgrimage. Books & art. Caved into temptation at Politeia bookshop. Then the wonderful #Goulandris Gallery. An astonishing private collection, open to the public. Much French and, of course, Greek art. But Mr and Mrs G found space in their lives for #Bacon and #Hepworth…
October 15, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Day #7 of the Anglo-Greek pilgrimage. Books & art. Caved into temptation at Politeia bookshop. Then the wonderful #Goulandris Gallery. An astonishing private collection, open to the public. Much French and, of course, Greek art. But Mr and Mrs G found space in their lives for #Bacon and #Hepworth…
Reposted by John Kittmer
Following on from the last post, this is the other existing crown. The 'Crown of an English Queen' (the "Bohemian" or "Palatine" crown. It is s recorded in England in a list of jewels and plate drawn up in 1399. It probably belonged to King Edward III or Anne of Bohemia, the wife of Richard II, who
October 15, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Following on from the last post, this is the other existing crown. The 'Crown of an English Queen' (the "Bohemian" or "Palatine" crown. It is s recorded in England in a list of jewels and plate drawn up in 1399. It probably belonged to King Edward III or Anne of Bohemia, the wife of Richard II, who