How does History interact in the public sphere? How do museums, statues and memorials inform our view of History? Here, we discuss the nature of public history, memory and how we remember as a society

Public History.

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Colston has been removed from the University Crest…now what?

In a statement last month, the University chose to remove symbols associated with slave trader Edward Colston from its crest. After this decision, how will the University continue to represent its histories? The Bristorian discusses the future of the crest alongside Dr. Richard Stone.

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The Violence of Colonial Archives

Editor-in-Chief Hope explores the violent legacies left by colonial archives, including the continuing gaps and inaccessibility experienced by those trying to uncover colonial legacies. This post is sponsored by Gale Resources.

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Surviving the Holocaust: A Firsthand Account from Tomi Reichental

Charlie Standen reflects on the life story of Tomi Reichental, a young Jewish boy living in Slovenia during World War Two, that was recounted to University of Bristol students as part of a collaboration between Bristol Jewish Society and the History Society.

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'Mimesis: African Soldier’ by John Akomfrah

Disenchantment, disillusionment, disappointment, and distress. The Bristorian focuses on the forgotten experiences of colonial troops during the First World War, shown in the film 'Mimesis: African Solider' by John Akomfrah.

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Review:“Queer Britain: In the Key of Blue”

AJ reviews a fasinating discussion, centred around a collection of Nineteenth Century writings exploring queer identity and pride. This lecture is part of an annual series commemorating the Bristolian John Addington Symonds (1840-1893), a writer, art historian and early pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights.

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Exhibition Review: ‘We Are Everywhere’ War Experiences from Pre-Partition India

There were many injustices and violence instigated by Britain’s ruling of South Asia. The Partition created by the British Raj within South Asia not only resulted in ethnic conflict between present day India and Pakistan, but also led to one of the biggest displacements known to human history. Milan dives deeper into this tragedy, as he explores the ‘We Are Everywhere’ exhibition at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.

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On Public Grief and the Monarchy

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charlie considers the legacy of public grief and the monarchy in our increasingly chaotic and fragile world

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The People’s Archive of Stokes Croft

Containing a plethora of original source material, The People’s Archive of Stokes Croft aims to capture the essence of one of Bristol’s most iconic areas

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‘Fons Americanus’: Reimagining Colonial Histories in Public

The cities of this country are packed with reminders and celebrations of our colonial past. So how are today’s artists and public historians attempting to decolonise their field? In this piece, The Bristorian explores the meanings behind Kara Walker’s Fons Americanus, on display at the Tate, and considers the wider decolonisation movement.

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How are Walking Tours and ‘Grassroots’ Memorialisation Changing Public Perceptions of Slavery?

As we as a society reckon with our imperial history and the difficult legacies associated with it, discussions regarding our collective memory of slavery have started to gain traction. Using the example of Liverpool, The Bristorian delves into the power walking tours and 'grassroots' memorialisation have in altering and informing our perceptions of slavery for the better.

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