Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday Celebrated In Bronx

Portrait of Dickens in Boston by Francis Alexander, 1842

While Charles Dickens is best known for such classics as Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist and David Copperfield, a global festival marking the British author’s 200th birthday this month is spotlighting some of his earlier works in Bronx.

oday marks the bicentenary of the birth of UK writer Charles Dickens with an international celebration of his life and work. From exhibitions to immersive theater performances, the world celebrates the legacy and contemporary impact of Dickens' work with arts events across 50 countries as organised by the British Council's Dickens 2012 initiative.

Follow @Dickens2012 on Twitter for updates about this unique global event.

Sketching the City: New York

In the United States, the British Council USA is partnering with The Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York for Sketching the City, a project linking diverse local communities with the modern legacy of Charles Dickens' writing.

As Dickens did in London over a century ago with his early work Sketches by Boz, teens in the Bronx will "sketch" their own city, capturing the characters who live in one of today's most dynamic and culturally diverse global capitals. 

Sketching the City: New York will bring together students, teachers and other members of the Bronx community in a range of activities, including:

    * A literary and visual arts competition for Bronx high school students
    * An exhibition of winning submissions at The Bronx Museum and online
    * Professional development opportunities for local teachers
    * Curation workshops for Bronx Museum Teen Council alumni

Get involved!

1. Browse the digital showcase of winning entries in an upcoming MuseZine issue later this spring, or visit the upcoming exhibition in person at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, opening March 31, 2012.
2. Are you a high school student in the Bronx? Enter the arts competition by February 20, 2012, for a chance to have your work on display at the Bronx Museum of the Arts!
3. In the meantime, visit our Facebook page or follow @BCArtsUSA for the latest information!

The partnership with the Bronx museum is the sole celebration in New York City.

The museum also is hosting a free workshop for teachers dubbed “Dickens in Pieces” on Tuesday - Dickens’ birthday. Taught by literary expert Prof. Jonathan Farina, the workshop will provide tips on tackling the author’s voluminous writings.

The deadline for Bronx teens to submit artwork and writing for “Sketching the City” is February 20, 2012.

To find out more about “Sketching the City” or the “Dickens in Pieces” workshop, call 718-681-6000 ext. 132.