Creative Sanctuary: Refugees at Dartington in the 1930s and Beyond
20 October
An online symposium on 20-21 October exploring the little-known fact that Dartington Hall in Devon was an important place of sanctuary for refugees from Fascist Europe.
Dartington Hall, established by Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst in the late 1920s as a utopian agricultural and educational experiment, became a much-needed place of refuge for a significant number of eminent creative individuals, who because of their Jewish background and/or anti-fascist stance, were forced to leave Germany (and later, Austria) after 1933. Spanish Republicans fleeing the Spanish Civil War were also welcomed.
Comprising a lively mixture of illustrated talks straddling multiple art forms (fine and applied arts, architecture, dance and music), discussions, Q&A sessions and film screenings, the programme will be aimed at both a general and a specialist audience, local, national and international.
The symposium, which draws on the very latest archival researches by established and early career scholars alike, will fill a significant gap in twentieth century British cultural and social history.
To view the full programme and to book tickets, click here
*NB Free access to the symposium will be granted to all those living in the TQ postcodes
The symposium is kindly supported by the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, Shoresh Charitable Trust, the Elmgrant Trust and Counterpoints Arts.
Image: Hans Keller teaching at Summer School of Music, Dartington Hall