BBC Russian

THE CANTERBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND ME

In March 2011 we were invited by the Editor of the Christchurch City Libraries� Digital Library Web Team, Richard Liddicoat, to write something for the Canterbury Earthquake for the Christchurch Public Library.
Keywords: Literature and Culture;
Dear Richard,
I could not write to anyone in the Christchurch Public Library about what is happening after the Christchurch earthquake. The [...]

MY READING (NZ BOOK MONTH 2011)

I was asked to write for the March 2011 New Zealand Books Month something about my reading.
Keywords: Literature and Culture;
There are hosts of books which opened up new vistas in my adolescence and the decade after. My reading today could not be possibly offer similar experiences; instead it enriches these landscapes. The exceptions are the [...]

THE PARTY IS OVER

The Great Gatsby recognises the essential role of the economy in human experience.
Listener: 8 January 2011
Keywords: Business & Finance; Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History;
On occasions, Auckland has outbreaks of Great Gatsby parties. This name alludes to the classic F Scott Fitzgerald novel, narrated by Nick Carraway who lives on New York�s Long Island, [...]

WAITING FOR ROGER

We should be so Lucky.
Listener: 25 December, 2010.
Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History;
A country road. A tree. Evening.
JOHN: Charming spot. Inspiring prospects. Let�s go.
BILL: We can�t.
JOHN: Why not?
BILL: We�re waiting for economic growth.
JOHN: (despairingly). Ah! (Pause.) You�re sure it was these policies?
BILL: Which?
JOHN: That we were to implement.
BILL: Those we have been doing?
JOHN: [...]

WATCH OUT FOR WEASELS

Children’s classic The Wind in the Willows is also a fable for adults.
Listener: 9 January, 2010.
Keywords: Literature and Culture; Macroeconomics & Money;
The “Poop-poop” rang with a brazen shout in their ears, they had a moment’s glimpse of an interior of glittering plate-glass and rich morocco and the magnificent motor-car, immense, breath-snatching, passionate, with its pilot [...]

“TELLING STORIES” by JANICE GILL

Launch, Fairfield House, Nelson, 10 October, 2009
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Keywords: Literature and Culture;
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Have you noticed that we launch a book, but open an gallery exhibition? I�m going to open this book, and I invite you to do the same. For, of course, the book is an exhibition of Janice Gill�s paintings � as many as [...]

THE PLAYGROUND SERIES

Contribution to the catalogue of the Vivian Lynn exhibition at the Adams Art Gallery, VUW (October 2008 – March 2009).

Keywords: Literature and Culture;

It is said that if you remember the 1960s, you were not there. The 1970s were� much more problematic, not least because of the new wave of feminism. What was a [...]

THE SEX INDUSTRY AND THE BEAGLEHOLE ROOM

Presentation for the � 3 Books, 3 Scholars� seminar in the J.C. Beaglehole room � 27th May
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Keywords: Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History;
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When it was first opened over forty years, this room was a part of the teaching rooms of the university. I guess I am confessing that I am a graduate of [...]

IS THERE A PLACE FOR NEW ZEALAND IN A GLOBALISING WORLD?

A Spirited Conversation: 7 April 2008.
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Keywords: Globalisation & Trade; Literature and Culture; Political Economy & History;
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When I began the study which led to my book, Globalisation and the Wealth of Nations, I assumed that ultimately globalisation would destroy nations. I knew that globalisation had created the modern nation-state, which hardly existed before [...]

SHIRLEY SMITH 1916-2007

Keywords: Literature and Culture;
It is hard to talk of Shirley Smith�s final years, when that extraordinary mind left her long before her body did. Layer after layer of her adult life was stripped away leaving her child-like presence. She still received visitors, ever so politely, and with gratitude, in the way a child might. [...]

Brian Easton