Aberdeen City Libraries to host a virtual conference on the Stages and Screens of the Silver City

15 January 2021

The architectural heritage of the city’s historic theatre and cinema buildings is the focus of a one-day virtual conference, Screens and Stages in the Silver City, hosted next month by Aberdeen City Libraries.

The conference, a joint project between Aberdeen City Libraries and Aberdeen City Heritage Trust and supported by Historic Environment Scotland will be held on Saturday 13 February having been postponed last June due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The rescheduled event has been adapted to become an online conference that will allow people from all over Aberdeen, Scotland and the UK to attend.

Co-sponsored also by Aberdeen City & Shire Archives, Belmont Filmhouse, Bolinda, Code The City, SHMU and University of Aberdeen Special Collections., the conference seeks to enlighten Aberdeen’s past and explore how technologies can be used to better apprehend and conserve the city’s local heritage environment. 

Bringing together a broad range of speakers from a variety of sectors including the Cinema Museum in London, Scottish Screen Archive and the University of Edinburgh, topics will include Theatre architecture in Aberdeen since 1900 in its Scottish context. Other themes include Memories of Aberdeen Cinemas and The Silver City on the Silver Screen: Aberdeen's local history reflected in film.

Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokeswoman, said: “Aberdeen is blessed with a rich and fascinating past in terms of the Arts and arts venues. Our Local Studies department has long provided information on all aspects of the city and the surrounding area from the earliest period of history to the present day through the Information Centre at Central Library and our online database, The Silver City Vault.

“The current lockdown may deny us the ability to enjoy a trip to the cinema or theatre but thanks to the collaboration with Aberdeen City Heritage Trust and Historic Environment Scotland, this virtual conference gives us a new avenue to learn, discuss and celebrate Aberdeen’s cultural history.”

Douglas Campbell of Aberdeen City Heritage Trust said: "We are delighted to be supporting the local history conference and collaborating with the Llibrary Service at the Council in this way. More than ever at this time, we recognise the importance of the shared experience of entertainment and the integral part it has played in the life of Aberdeen."

Screens and Stages in the Silver City will take place on Saturday 13 February 2021. Tickets for the conference cost £10 and are now on sale. For more information and to book a place, please visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/lhc2021