The ground-breaking Dinosaurs of China exhibition, which is bringing some of the best-preserved dinosaur fossils in the world to Nottingham this summer, opens tomorrow (July 1). Here are some incredible pictures and video from the press day with Chris Packham.
Chris said, “The way dinosaurs have evolved is truly fascinating and I’m passionate about spreading the message far and wide. Dinosaurs have long been perceived as huge scaly beasts but now we’re finding out that this was only part of the story. This exhibition provides a real once in a lifetime chance to see some of the most exciting dinosaur discoveries in recent years and learn more about how dinosaurs actually looked when they roamed the Earth.”
Opening at Wollaton Hall and Nottingham Lakeside Arts on July 1, Dinosaurs of China is a collaboration between Nottingham City Council and the University of Nottingham who have worked closely with the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing and the Long Hao Institute of Geology and Paleontology Inner Mongolia.
Dr Adam Smith is the exhibition curator and said, “We are extremely excited to be bringing together such an interesting collection of specimens, and delighted that Chris is supporting us. He shares our enthusiasm and understands the importance of the Dinosaurs of China exhibition.
Several of the fossils on display are globally significant because they show that some dinosaurs had feathers. Many of the species have only been discovered in the past 20 years, and one was named just two years ago, so we really are showing these new discoveries to the world.”
Jason Feehily, Director Knowledge Exchange Asia at the University of Nottingham, said, “We are delighted to have Chris join the Dinosaurs of China team. Chris has an enormous reputation and stature in this area and to have him as a supporter demonstrates both the scientific and cultural importance of the Dinosaurs of China exhibition. I am hugely impressed by Chris’s passion and enthusiasm and we are all really looking forward to working with him over the coming months.”
Taking place from 1st July to 29th October 2017, the exhibition will span two sites – Wollaton Hall in Nottingham and University of Nottingham’s public art centre, Lakeside Arts. Tickets for Wollaton Hall are now on sale. Prices are £7.70 for an adult and £5.50 for a child. There is a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for £22.00. Children under five go free and the event welcomes school parties at a reduced price. Entry to Lakeside is free of charge.
Pupil s from schools across Nottingham city have created 80 special pieces of artwork to create the panels of a giant tent, which will tour the city promoting cultural diversity. The Nottingham Big Tent opens today (Monday June 19) and visitors to Old Market Square will have the opportunity to walk through and see the different panels that make up the tent which represent the schools and organisations that have created them.
The project involves 35 local schools and has been funded by a grant from the Scape Group. The aim is to celebrate Nottingham’s rich diversity and community cohesion.
Our friend Councillor Sam Webster, said: “We have some extremely gifted pupils at our schools in Nottingham and, once again, they have shown their talent with this fantastic art exhibition.
“The message of celebrating different cultures, promoting diversity and community harmony has never been more appropriate, and I hope many people will take the opportunity to have a look while they’re in town over the next few days.”
The Big Tent will open at noon on Monday and will stay up until the afternoon of Wednesday 21 June. There will be an official opening ceremony planned for 10am on Tuesday 20 June.
This evening marks the start of Ramadan, the most holy month in the Muslim calendar. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset – that means eating nothing while it is daylight. There are some people who don’t have to fast such as children, pregnant women, the sick, the elderly and travellers – plus, if you have exams or are a sports star competing (like England cricketer Moeen Ali) you can defer your fast to another time.
The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. At the end of the fast, special meals are served and families and friends get together to break the fast. Many Muslims also go to the mosque to pray. The festival to celebrate the end of Ramadan, and fasting, is called Eid al-Fitr, which will take place on Sunday 25th June.
Ramadan, historically, is because the Qur’an, the holy book followed by Muslims, was first revealed during the month.This summer Muslims in the UK are facing the a very long Ramadan as the holy month coincides with the summer solstice, meaning long days of fasting. At this time of year daylight can last about 16 to 19 hours, depending on your UK location.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the moon), the month of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each year, so it isn’t a fixed date in the Western/solar calendar.
To all of those observing the holy month, both here in Nottingham and across the word, Ramadan Mubarak!
