Lecture
Professor David Peimer
Saturday 27.12.2025
Professor David Peimer
Christmas in the Popular Imagination
Saturday 27.12.2025
How to watch
This lecture starts on 27 December at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
John Lennon sang: “So this is Christmas—what have you done.” What is Christmas in the popular imagination? Is it merely the global marketing of merchandise? Is it about mythical stories—of angels, travelling stars, babies surviving in barns, sojourning kings, a virgin birth, flashing green trees? Or is it about how the imagination creates stories so people can remake the quiet despair of reality—mobilize magic and wonder, family and togetherness, ancient chants? Ultimately, why are stories at the core of society?
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.