We are looking forward to an upcoming international event taking place this May at the Orto Botanico di Padova in Italy, the oldest university botanic garden in the world and UNESCO World heritage Site.
Our Trustee, Chiara Ceci, and Down House Head Gardener, Antony O’Rourke, will present at a meeting titled “A Voice from the Garden: Darwin and Other Stories.” The discussion offers a quiet look at how the gardens of Down House functioned as a “living laboratory,” serving as the backdrop for Charles Darwin’s family life and his many scientific experiments.
The conversation will also feature author Claire Masset, who will provide a broader perspective on the history of British gardens. She will explore the stories of other significant gardeners and artists, such as William Morris and Claude Monet, examining how their outdoor spaces influenced their work and legacies.
It is a lovely opportunity to reflect on the “power of place” and share the history of Down House with a wider audience at the world’s oldest botanical garden.
This conference is part of the Festival Risvegli, 1-3 May in Padua, Italy.
Find more information about this event and the link to book here:
Be inspired.
Darwin-inspired.
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