Talks / Ideas / Philosophy

Building Byzantine Britain

Various venues across London

Thu 15 Oct · 19:00 · £20.25

90m · Talk

About this event

"Building Byzantine Britain" with Jefferson Feerick Summary: From the turning of antiquity to the last gasps of the medieval age, the Byzantine period was the terminal phase of Graeco-Roman civilisation. At its height it spanned from the Adriatic to Mesopotamia; its capital, Constantinople — the Queen of Cities — was the largest and most sophisticated city in Christendom. Yet this splendour held little sway over Britain, its long lost north-western province. To Western scholars, Byzantium was an embarrassing afterthought: too eastern, too unfamiliar, and fuelled by imperial rivalry and racial politics, never embraced by Britain's Anglo-Protestant mainstream. So why, in the nineteenth century, did minority communities turn towards it? Why did they reject both Pugin's Gothic, the true and honest architecture of England, and the neo-classicism that stood alongside it as the establishment's preferred style? This talk explores the emergence of the Byzantine Revival in Britain, and its adoption by minority faith communities who saw in its domes, arches and mosaics a way to assert their identity — wearing their foreignness as pride, not shame. By adopting a style with minimal ties to Britain's past, these communities openly declared their status as outsiders: an early flicker of Britain's slow journey towards a more religiously and culturally diverse streetscape. Bio: Jefferson Feerick is an Assistant Heritage Consultant at Purcell Architects, where he researches and advises on the conservation of some of Britain's most significant historic buildings. He is a committed architectural historian with a specialism in religious architecture, communal self-expression, and the cultural legacy of nineteenth-century imperialism. He has a particular interest in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the architectural expression of religious groups during this era of profound change. Venue: Pizza East, Shoreditch 56 Shoreditch High Street E1 6JJ Event Running Time: (We recommend arriving at 6:30pm if you're eating, and 7pm if drinks only) Doors from 7pm Introduction: 7:25pm Lecture: 7:30pm Q&A: 8:10pm Finish: 8:30pm FAQs: What is Pints of Knowledge? Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond. What happens at Pints of Knowledge? At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (approx. 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by an audience Q&A (approx. 20 minutes). The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting. What if I don't drink alcohol ? No problem at all! Pints of Knowledge is all about the ideas and the community, not the drinks. You’re welcome to enjoy a soft drink, coffee, or whatever you prefer. The focus is on creating a relaxed, social atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Can I attend without a ticket? Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. With our limited capacity at each venue we can't let people in without a ticket. There is occasionally the option to purchase a ticket on the door for our sold-out events, but we cannot guarantee this. Is there food available? Yes, there is usually the option to purchase food at our events - please see each venue's menu on their website. If you plan on eating at the venue, we recommend arriving as early as possible so the kitchen can get your order out before the talk starts. In the unlikely event the kitchen isn't open, there will typically be an option to order in food from elsewhere or bring your own food. Can I get my ticket refunded? We issue full ticket refunds if you have requested 7 days before the event. Any requests after will be at the discretion of the event organiser. Can I get my ticket exchanged? We issue full ticket exchanges if you have requested 48 hours before the event. Any requests after will be at the discretion of the event organiser . Is the event pet/baby friendly? Yes, we allow pets and babies to attend but reserve the right to request their removal if they are disruptive. Is the venue accessible? All of our venues are accessible, besides the following: The Old Queen's Head, The Landor, The Alma, and The Morpeth Arms.