RSA Events

Behind the Curtain

For 13 years, Sir Alex has led one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions through a period of extraordinary change. Brexit. A global pandemic that closed theatres overnight. A cost-of-living crisis reshaping audiences and audience behaviour. Few organisations have faced these pressures more intensely, or more visibly, than the Royal Ballet and Opera [https://www.rbo.org.uk/]. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on what it takes to steward an institution of immense history and global reputation through one of the most defining and difficult decades in its history. This event will be followed by a drinks reception at 8pm. Speaker: * Sir Alex Beard, Chief Executive, Royal Ballet and Opera Chair: * Nancy Durrant, culture journalist and broadcaster In partnership with: Royal Ballet and Opera

40 years on: Chornobyl’s legacy and European environmental security

Marking 40 years since the Chornobyl disaster, the Ukrainian Institute London and the RSA invite you to reflect on its enduring legacy not only for Ukraine, but for Europe’s environmental security as a whole. This panel discussion will explore how the lessons of Chornobyl continue to shape environmental policy, cross-border cooperation, and societal resilience across the continent. Speakers: Serhii Plokhy, Historian, Author, and Professor of History at Harvard University Eglė Rindzevičiūtė, Professor of Criminology and Sociology at Kingston University London Jonathon Turnbull, Assistant Professor of Human Geography at Durham University Chair: Sasha Dovzhyk, Writer, Curator and Head of INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange (Lviv, Ukraine). Editor of the London Ukrainian Review In partnership with: Ukrainian Institute London Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

Can art save us?

The impulse to be creative is ingrained in the human spirit.   We often turn to art not only to capture the beauty of the world, but also to manage its complexities. In an age where art is often devalued in favour of creating capital, will a new generation of artists be able to maintain their creative output? To answer this question, we will be joined by John Studzinski, philanthropist and Genesis Foundation founder, for a special conversation about his lifetime support of artists and cultural organisations and on what he has learned about the role creativity plays in mental health, recovery and collective life. The event forms part of the Genesis Foundation’s Genesis Conversationsseries and also marks the 25th anniversary of the Genesis Foundation. The evening will begin with a preview screening of a new opera Angels on the Underground, composed by Will Todd, and a libretto by Sally Gardner. After the screening there will be a panel conversation and a Q&A session. Speakers: * John Studzinski CBE, Philanthropist and Genesis Foundation Founder * Will Todd, Musician and Composer * Rebecca Salter, President, Royal Academy of Arts * Bobby Palmer, Author and Journalist Chair: * Jennifer Johnston FRSA, Opera Singer and Cultural Strategy Consultant In partnership with: Genesis Foundation [https://genesisfoundation.org.uk/] Please be aware that this event contains subject matter that listeners might find upsetting or triggering.  Listener discretion is advised. Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

Prue Leith: the joy (and reality) of getting older

In her new book, Being Old, Prue offers a candid look at the highs, lows and unexpected freedoms of ageing. From changing priorities to rediscovered passions, from loss to laughter, she explores how life can open up in surprising ways as the years advance.  Expect a conversation full of warmth, humour and refreshing honesty as Prue shares the lessons she’s learned, the things she wishes she’d known sooner, and why she believes ageing should be celebrated, not feared.  Followed by audience questions and a chance to have your book signed by Prue.  Speaker: * Prue Leith, cook, author and TV personality Chair: * Felicity Cloake, food and travel writer   Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

Make a stand with The Circle

Will you make a stand with us this International Women’s Day? On 4 March, we’ll come together with The Circle [https://www.thecircle.ngo/] to explore how we can protect women and girls in an increasingly turbulent global landscape, and drive change through collective action. Founded by Annie Lennox alongside other leading women, The Circle is a global feminist organisation bringing together women and allies to create a fairer, safer world. The evening will be hosted by Nuala McGovern, journalist and presenter of BBC Woman’s Hour, in conversation with co-founder of the Malala Fund, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Raakhi Shah, CEO of The Circle, and Delphine Uwamahoro, founder of Our Sisters’ Opportunity [https://www.oursistersopportunity.org/] in Rwanda. One in three women in the world will experience violence in their lifetime. Join us on International Women’s Day to make a stand and demand change. Speakers: * Raakhi Shah, CEO, The Circle * Delphine Uwamahoro, Founder and Executive Director, Our Sisters’ Opportunity * Ziauddin Yousafzai, Co-founder of Malala Fund Chair: * Nuala McGovern, Award-winning BBC News TV and Radio presenter   Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join