Moctezuma's Feast

21st November 2009 (10.00 am - 5.15 pm)

Location: British Museum

A FEAST FIT FOR... AN EMPEROR

BRITISH ACADEMY EVENT EXPOSES MOCTEZUMA'S SWEET TOOTH

Over a thousand plates of food, two thousand jugs of chocolate and 'infinite quantities of fruit': the vivid description of the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma's dining habits by Bernal Diaz del Castillo in his True History of the Conquest of Spain (16th century), provides a fascinating window onto the intriguing gastronomy of Aztec culture.

On Saturday 21 November, a special British Academy joint-funded event (hosted by the British Museum) will unite some of the world's leading experts on the history of Mexican food, drawing on past and present techniques to recreate the definitive Aztec banquet. To trace the history of Mexican food from the frothed up chocolate and maize cakes of the 16th century to today's fajitas and tacos, visitors are invited simply to bring along their imagination and tastebuds.

Celebrity Mexican chef Patricia Quintata, history of food expert and author Jeffrey Pilcher, Aztec expert, Camilla Townsend and Mexican historian Alfred Lopez Austin will be joining Latin American specialist Rebecca Earle to guide people through the different stages of Mexican cuisine, and to show how the Aztecs' eating habits provide a window into their wider culture.

In addition, the day will draw on the richness of the objects on display in the current Moctezuma: Aztec Emperor Exhibition at the British Museum. The exhibition's curator Colin McEwan will explain how Moctezuma used the beautiful bowls, vessels and ritual objects on display, and will explain the importance of dining to the display of princely power.

Dr Rebecca Earle, organiser of the Moctezuma's Feast event, said:
“What we think of today as Mexican cuisine evolved out of a combination of Aztec and European influences. This special event will provide fascinating insights into Latin American culture, showing the integral role food and eating has played in shaping history, not just in Mexico, but for people all over the world, who learned to love the chocolate, tomatoes and chillies on which Moctezuma feasted five hundred years ago.”

Moctezuma's Feast will take place on Saturday 21 November from 10.00am -5.15 pm, at The British Museum. Tickets are standard - £28, concessions - £18. For more information and to book, contact The British Museum Box Office: 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org

The event is co-funded by The British Academy and the Mexican Embassy to the UK.

OUSA OU Birthday Bash

21st November 2009 (12.00)

Location: Brussels

As a lot of CE students couldn't make it to Open Unlimited in June. OUSA have decided to organise a birthday party for the OU in Brussels. It will be a very simple affair, to be
held on 21 November.

The programme is: 12 o'clock - meet up for lunch; 2 o'clock - go 10-pin bowling; 5 o'clock -dinner.

Anyone and everyone is welcome, not just
students from CE.

If you intend to come along and/or would like more information, please email:ousao36@guest.open.ac.uk or in Firstclass:OUSA ECM N Europe