Scotland’s oldest public museum – The Hunterian – will play host to a special night celebrating the world of fantasy fiction on Friday 24th November. Pupils from Hillhead High School and some of the University of Glasgow’s students today had a sneak preview of some of the artefacts visitors will see at the Fantasy Night at the Museum.
The idea for this year’s event is inspired by the University’s newly established postgraduate programme – MLitt English Literature: Fantasy. The Hunterian will come to life for one night only to celebrate Scotland’s reimagined histories and heritage from JM Barrie’s Peter Pan and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter to the historical time travel Outlander novels and TV series.
Visitors to Night at the Museum will be able to enjoy musical and literary performances, games, themed activity stations and there will even be some library treasures on show for this event only.
Dr Rob Maslen, Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Glasgow and director of the Fantasy MLitt programme, said: “Fantasy is among the most popular and recognisable genres of the 21st century.
“It has transformed Scottish culture and the way people around the world imagine Scotland in recent years. This is a chance to find out how. We think you’ll be surprised as well as entertained!”
The event is being supported by Scotland’s Winter Festivals as part of the celebrations for St Andrew’s Day.
Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for International Development and Europe with the Scottish Government, said: “Scotland’s Winter Festivals is an exciting and diverse events programme, offering Scots both at home and abroad the chance to celebrate everything great about our wonderful country during the winter months.
“St Andrew’s Day presents a powerful opportunity for Scots to keep the spirit of St Andrew alive by coming together in celebration and the Night at the Museum: Fantasy Scotland allows them to do just that in the atmospheric surroundings of Scotland’s oldest public museum the Hunterian”
The three hour event is free, although those who wish to attend will have to book online as a ticket is required for entry. Booking is essential due to limited space. The event will be held from 7pm-10pm.
The Hunterian is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays 11am-4pm each week and admission is free to see for yourself why it is considered to be one of the best university museums in the world.