John Kittmer

Inside the Roman Catholic chapel at Biddlestone in Northumberland is an intriguing remnant from life on the home front during the Second World War.

1/6

A lovely window for #stainedglassSunday by Harry Harvey at St Mary’s #Brandesburton, #Yorkshire. The parable of the seed that fell on stony ground.

2/3 The Crucifixion, the most complete panel of the late medieval glass originally at Tattershall, now in St Martin, Stamford, Lincolnshire. #StainedGlassSunday

Well, that wd probably be a new argument for the existence of God.

You seem very much alive, though it’s sometimes hard to tell what is human and what is bot on this platform.

BBC Radio 4 - Artworks, v. by Tony Harrison The controversial poem by Tony Harrison, to mark his death.

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...

A detail from a Japanese printed screen featuring three delicate embroidered sparrows in flight against a gold background

What is your favourite bird?

These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.

Τέλεια.

Σκίτσο του Ανδρέα Πετρουλάκη (04/11/25)

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!

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.

Thank you, Sofka, for this dazzling and generous write-up. I’m hugely looking forward to our talk about Greece, writing and your brilliant novel, “Stealing Dad”!

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...

Autumn, falling in a year when you have wonderfully exposed us all, through your magnificent new book, to the beauties and fragility of #Prespa. Enjoy the autumnal light and colours, φίλε μου.

Doing this soon:

Thank you. Is the full text available now or due to be published?

OTD 27 October in 1728, James Cook was born in the village of Marton.

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

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

The ancient Greek word is πέπων = pepon.

25 Oct 1415: Henry V finds victory at the battle of Agincourt #otd

YouTube video by technicalmark Henry V - Speech - Eve of Saint Crispin's Day - HD

youtu.be/A-yZNMWFqvM?...

Happy St Crispins day.

#shakespeare #henryv #stcrispinsday

In discussion with
Yours Truly.

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 🏺

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.

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.

Interesting excavation reporting.

greekcitytimes.com/2025/10/10/a...

Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Küçük Ayasofya Camii) The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus was built by Justinian and Theodora. It was converted into a mosque known as Küçük Ayasofya Camii (“Little Hagia Sophia”) in the Ottoman era.

www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/sergius-bacc...

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.

My tribute to Tony Harrison last week was to read his great, last, valedictory poem ‘Polygons’ at Delphi, where he started it.

My pilgrimage in #Athens continues. I spent the morning in the wonderful #Cavafy Archive, newly housed by the #Onassis Foundation. For me it was the first opportunity to consult actual manuscripts of Cavafy. A truly moving experience.