On Saturday (February 7) a garland was laid on his statue in Guildhall Square on what would have been his 214th birthday, followed by a wreath laying at his birthplace on Mile End Terrace. There was also a special talk on ‘Dickens and film’ at Portsmouth Grammar School.
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The day also saw the opening of an interactive art installation at the Portsmouth Natural History Museum by Roo Abrook. This examines Miss Havisham from Dickens’ Great Expectations, a woman jilted at the altar and trapped in the emotional fallout of rejection.
It features her famous wedding dress which has been sculpted from vintage pages from vintage editions of Great Expectations, alongside gloves, slippers, and other accessories. Her wedding bouquet and flowers have been created by Sally Biloshiskaya of Petal and Pchelka.
Local emerging artist Emelie-Jane Martin-Rivers has created her own response to the project and her artwork is also on display.
The Dress of Great Expectations is at the Portsmouth Natural History Museum until March 15.
For more see the video embedded in this story
1. Charles Dickens
From left, Lady Mayoress Helena Cole, Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson and the Chairman of the Portsmouth Charles Dickens Society Tim Suffolk. Wreath laying for author Charles Dickens at his birthplace in Mile End Terrace, Portsmouth, on the 214th anniversary of his birth Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070226-01) | Chris Moorhouse
2. Charles Dickens
Artist Roo Abrook with her installation, The Dress of Great Expectations, at Cumberland House Natural History Museum, Eastern Parade, Portsmouth Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070226-16) | Chris Moorhouse
3. Charles Dickens
Onlookers celeberate the anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth. Wreath laying for author Charles Dickens at his birthplace in Mile End Terrace, Portsmouth, on the 214th anniversary of his birth Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070226-05) | Chris Moorhouse
4. Charles Dickens
Actor John McLaverty reads from A Christmas Carol. at the Wreath laying for author Charles Dickens at his birthplace in Mile End Terrace, Portsmouth, on the 214th anniversary of his birth Picture: Chris Moorhouse (070226-06) | Chris Moorhouse