The Classical Association in Northern Ireland

27/09/2026

What Classics related stuff can you listen to at the moment, we hear you ask...?

'You're Dead To Me' discusses Constantine and Christianity https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00300cj
and Emily Hauser talks about The Iliad and The Odyssey https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002y8t3

'In Our Time' returned to an episode on Plato https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p1f993

And all episodes of 'Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics' are still available on BBC Sounds, including the latest series, with episodes on Medea, Roman True Crime, and Hypatia https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b077x8pc/episodes/playerhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b077x8pc/episodes/player

As are Mary Beard's 'Being Greek' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gq54cg

23/09/2026

The 2000 year old mosaics underneath the Bath of Trajan are now open to the public ( well, sort of...)

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rome-mosaic-fresco-baths-of-trajan-b3046591.html

04/09/2026

Members of the CANI board have recently submitted a response to the consultation on the review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, précised below:
'
‘ The response welcomes the opportunity to review and modernise the curriculum, but raises some important questions about the direction of travel. In particular, it questions whether too much emphasis is being placed on a “knowledge-rich” curriculum at the expense of the wider skills and qualities young people need — including critical thinking, creativity, communication, resilience and the ability to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

There are also strong concerns about the future of language learning, the place of Latin and Classics, the role of Philosophy, and the proposed approach to Citizenship, Personal Development and Careers Education. The response also highlights the lack of meaningful consideration of education beyond the age of 14 and the continuing impact of the transfer test.

At the heart of the response is a simple point: education should be about more than what young people know. It should also be about what they can do with that knowledge, how they think, and the kind of citizens they become’

You can find the consultation here: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-northern-ireland-curriculum-2028

And please comment if you would like a copy of our full response or would like any support in submitting your own response.

The Department of Education is seeking views on the draft Northern Ireland Curriculum Framework 2028. This consultation sets out a new, knowledge-rich curriculum designed to improve clarity, coherence and progression for all learners. Responses from stakeholders will inform the final design of the c...

15/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D1MwxN82D/

New publication alert! "Phenomenology and the Painted Vase" is now out with University of Wisconsin Press (University of Wisconsin Press), edited by Danielle Smotherman Bennett (Danielle Smotherman Bennett), Guy Hedreen, SeungJung Kim, and Carolyn Laferrière (Carolyn Laferriere).

Most people today encounter ancient Greek vases as static, untouchable artifacts safely out of reach behind glass, in the quiet of a museum gallery. Once, however, these vessels were also useful objects, made to be held, filled, and generally used in a variety of settings, from the ritual to the quotidian. A phenomenological perspective allows us to see how the function and use of Greek vases shaped both their visual appearance and the perceptual experience of them—as well as our continued understanding of them today—while taking into account multisensory perspectives.

With contributions from Carolyn Laferrière, William Austin (Will Austin), Savannah Sather Marquardt (Savannah Sather Marquardt), Seth Estrin, Guy Hedreen Clifford Robinson, SeungJung Kim, Anthony F. Mangieri, Trevor Van Damme (), Seth Pevnik, Arne Reinhardt, D. Buck Roberson (Buck Roberson), David Saunders (), Sanchita Balachandran, Amy C. Smith (Amy Smith), and Katerina Volioti, this is sure to be a fantastic volume. 🏺

17/07/2026

Nothing much happening today then….

The Odyssey - In Theaters 7 17 26Christopher Nolan’s next film, T...

28/06/2026

The fantastic CANI talk by Dr Eirene Allen, given at the Linenhall Library in April, is now available to watch on their channel. Don't miss it. . . especially if you missed it!

Dr Eirene Allen is the director of the U.S.-based nonprofit The Institute for Classics Education. Her book The Epic Women of Homer was published in 2025 by Pen and Sword.

25/06/2026

Lots of things to listen to on the BBC while you are basking in the sun at the moment ( this post will not age well . . . )

Mary Beard is investigating the real lives of the Ancient Greeks in 'Being Greek' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gq54cg

In Our Time discusses the Delian League https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002xp5l

Mary Renaults 'The King Must Die' is still available https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000ydpg

As are some modern adaptations of Greek theatre favourites
'The Trojan Woman'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001lzfr
'The Oresteia' https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/b03q13c3
and The Bacchae https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002t10r?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

30/05/2026

If you love the story of Theseus, a dramatic adaptation of Mary Renault’s magnificent novel ‘The King Must Die’, is being serialised on Radio Four from today, and on the iPlayer.

Obviously we are all rooting for the Minatour, yes…? Good.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_fourfm?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

19/05/2026

In view of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming release of The Odyssey (in cinemas in July 2026), CANI is delighted to host a screening of Uberto Pasolini’s The Return (released 2024, starring Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus and Juliette Binoche as Penelope)

Wednesday 27 May 6.45pm
27 University Square (Room 01/003)

This is our closing event for 2025/2026. Join us for a fascinating movie night, accompanied by a glass of w**e and a snack, and the opportunity to browse our book sale collection.

Members entry: free, non-members: £5 (including one snack and drink). Doors open at 6:15pm.

The Return is a captivating retelling of the second half of the Odyssey. After 20 years Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, where he finds his wife Penelope held prisoner by suitors vying to be king and his son Telemachus facing death at their hands. To win back his family and all he has lost, Odysseus, traumatized by the events of the war and his wanderings, must rediscover his strength. Stripped away from monsters and supernatural powers, Pasolini’s modern retake on the timeless hero is a thought-provoking character study about abandonment, survivor guilt, PTSD and much more. Not to be missed!
We hope to see you there.

27/04/2026

Absolutely beautiful statue of Athena/Minerva found in Türkiye - hopefully she is bringing more Wisdom and Reason to the world just when we need it the most

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/archaeologists-discover-giant-marble-athena-statue-in-ancient-laodikeia-in-turkiye-3218661?fbclid=IwdGRjcARcjVJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEel6x4V3OI0r_Ch6aZXFy4vRnjz7d8PwdWBnmBMfvBziVfSjnSc3QkGLf0byk_aem_OOiSvf_gJOUFjUS1tEGkhg

Stunning 2-meter-tall white marble Athena statue surfaces in the West Theater of Laodicea as restoration work continues in Türkiye